The Greek Coast Guard said 41 people had been rescued. Of the survivors, two adults and six children were taken to the hospital in Leros. However, four of these children could not be brought back to life, according to the Greek news agency ANA.
Among the dead children were two boys about five years old and a four-year-old girl. According to ANA, the adult fatality was about 20 years old. According to the authorities, the refugees crossed from Turkey by rubber boat. All people on board are from African countries, ANA reported.
On Sunday, other possible victims of the boat accident were still being sought, but the rough seas and strong winds made it difficult for the three lifeboats and a helicopter to operate. On Sunday, wind force six prevailed in the region. According to a media report, the distress call was made by a fisherman who initially found the woman dead in the sea. According to eyewitnesses, there were dozens of refugees on the boat.
“Unfortunately, we are once again dealing with innocent victims who have lost their lives as a result of the criminal behavior of traffickers,” said Greek Merchant Marine Minister Yannis Plakiotakis. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said on Twitter on Sunday that it was “shocking that, in the absence of safe routes, refugees continue to undertake risky journeys and entrust their lives to unscrupulous smugglers”.
Many refugees try to get from Turkey to Greece and thus to the EU in unseaworthy boats. According to the UNHCR, 326 people drowned or went missing last year trying to cross to Europe from Turkey or other countries in the Eastern Mediterranean. This means that the number of victims has almost tripled compared to 2021, according to UNHCR statistics. In 2021, 115 people were killed or missing.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 2,246 people fleeing war and homeland poverty have died in the Eastern Mediterranean since 2014. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
