2023-06-16 21:05:00
Greece denies allegations that Its coastguard may have caused the sinking of a migrant boat that killed 78 people, the United Nations has said. More than 500 people are still missing.
On Friday, June 16, 2023, Jeremy Lawrence, spokesman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), issued a joint statement with The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said more than 500 people were still missing when a migrant boat capsized off the coast of Greece on Wednesday. by a large number of women and children
The incident took place in the sea far from the coast of Pylos. About 50 nautical miles south of Greece, at least 78 people have died and 104 people have been rescued, although the boat is expected to carry as many as 750 migrants.
UNHCR and the IOM said the losses underscored the need for people smugglers to be held accountable. and clearly show that Rescue and search at sea It is an unavoidable legal and humanitarian requirement. Any search and rescue is what must be done to prevent the loss of life
The two agencies’ statements came as The role of the Greek coast guard is being heavily questioned. That may have contributed to the tragedy this time, which Mr. Joannis Sarmas, acting Prime Minister of Greece, said A thorough investigation and technical assessment are underway. to find out what caused the ship to capsize
Greek officials have previously denied reports that a fishing boat carrying migrants capsized after 2am local time on Wednesday. Because of the rope that the Coast Guard used to tie it to the boat which had more immigrants sitting than capacity and cause the boat to capsize or not
Initially, the Greek Coast Guard stated that They had to keep their distance from the ships, the Greek newspaper Kathimerini later quoted a Coast Guard source as saying. Officers tied a rope to the boat so they could inspect the situation and those on board. Before untiing the ship to head to Italy
The source also said that The incident is expected to occur around 11:00 p.m., or about three hours before the ship capsized.
Greek government spokesman Elias Siakantaris confirmed on Friday that The coast guard uses ropes to support the hull. and to approach the evacuation boats to see if they need help. Officials did not attempt to tow the boat. or tied to the boat for a long time
Mr. Siakantaris said that The migrants refused help, saying “no help, we’re going to Italy” before continuing.
But a 24-year-old Syrian man, one of the survivors, told Mr Tazos Polychronopoulos Local councilor of Kalamata City who were evacuated were brought to say “The coast guard tied the rope and tried to tow the boat to the left. But I don’t know why the ship turned to the right and suddenly sank.”
Another survivor shared a similar story with former Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. who traveled to the city of Kalamata
“The coast guard of Greece told the boats to follow them. But they couldn’t,” the survivor told Mr Tsipras through a translator. “Then the coastguard threw a rope to tie it. but because they did not know how to pull the rope The boat began to sway to the right and left.” “The coast guard went too fast. The evacuation ship was already tilted to the left. make it sink.”
There were nine passengers on the fishing boat, many of whom were Egyptians. was arrested as a suspect of smuggling immigrants
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