Survivors are due to be sent to a refugee camp near Athens by Friday.
(Photo: dpa)
Athens/Kalamata There has been no hope of rescuing survivors after a refugee boat sank off southwest Greece. In all, more than 500 migrants may have died in the crash, with only 104 surviving, authorities said Thursday. So far, the Coast Guard can only rescue 78 victims.
Still, rescue efforts continued with the Navy and Air Force, as shown on state television.
The tragic scene took place in the Greek port of Kalamata on Thursday morning. Many of the 104 surviving migrants were there looking for their loved ones. In desperation, they hold the victim’s mobile phone photo in front of the helper, mostly without success.
The rusty 30-meter fishing knife appeared to have been dragged into the water along with most of the victims. Citing interviews with survivors and estimates of the vessel’s capacity, authorities said there may have been between 500 and 700 people on board in total.
Uncertainty: The accident site is located approximately 50 nautical miles southwest of the Peloponnese Peninsula in Greece, just above the Calypso lowlands, at more than 5,000 meters deep in the Mediterranean Sea.
Using DNA samples to identify dead bodies
Survivors are due to be sent to a refugee camp near Athens by Friday. Most of the passengers were from Syria, Afghanistan and Pakistan, according to the Coast Guard. The deceased, who had recovered, were sent to Athens on Thursday, where attempts were being made to identify the bodies using methods including DNA samples.
Meanwhile, the investigation into the cause of the accident continues: eight survivors in Kalamata were arrested and questioned by the port police, according to state broadcaster ERT. They are believed to be suspected smugglers and organizers of the deadly journey, for which the migrants say they paid between 5,000 and 6,000 euros each.
According to media reports, when the engine of the old speedboat failed, mass panic broke out on board. The overcrowded ship then lost its balance, capsized and sank immediately.
Survivors said many passengers could not swim and few wore life jackets. Also, there was no way those below decks could have escaped outside so quickly. These included many women and as many as 100 children.
The Greek coastguard and passing freighters radioed help to the crew on several occasions, an authority spokesman said. However, the crew declined the offer, citing their desire to reach Italy. Because the ship was in international waters, officials could only intervene when the speedboat was in distress and capsized Wednesday night.
people shocked by shipwreck
In Greece, people are shocked by one of the worst shipwrecks in recent years. Internationally, however, expressions of condolence have been limited; on Thursday, Pope Francis issued a letter of condolence, following shock expressions from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday. .
Federal Home Affairs Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) stated her position on Thursday afternoon: “In the face of this emergency, we must not become insensitive, but must continue to work tirelessly to create legal immigration routes, and to conclude respect for human rights and the rule of law, “she says. If people come to Germany according to clear criteria, that also destroys the business model of the smugglers.
A week ago, EU countries agreed on a plan to overhaul asylum policy. Asylum applications from migrants from countries of origin with a recognition rate below 20% will be examined at the EU’s external borders within 12 weeks.
In the meantime, they want to require those seeking protection to remain in tightly controlled reception facilities. Those who have no chance of being granted asylum should be repatriated immediately. However, it is conceivable that the EU Parliament will still push for reforms. It has a say in reforms.
more: The federal government has spent 27 billion euros on the refugee crisis this year