At least 20 people have lost their lives in a series of incidents involving migrant boats south of Crete, while a total of 133 have been rescued.
The 20 dead include one body that was initially recovered from a boat with 28 survivors, seven bodies that were later found inside the same boat, and another 12 who died in a more recent incident, 15 nautical miles southeast of Kalo Limena.
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Specifically, on Friday afternoon, November 7, port authorities were notified of a boat carrying foreign nationals in distress, six nautical miles south-southwest of Kala Limena. The tugboat “Pyrros” rushed to the area, located the boat, and rescued 28 Sudanese nationals and the body of a man. According to the survivors’ accounts, two more people had fallen overboard and were missing.
Due to strong northerly winds, measuring 6 to 7 on the Beaufort scale, towing the dinghy and continuing the rescue operation were deemed extremely dangerous. The boat was located again in the early morning hours with seven bodies inside and was transported to Kaloi Limenes.
In another incident, 15 nautical miles southeast of Kaloi Limenes, a dinghy was spotted by a passing Moroccan-flagged container ship. A Coast Guard vessel rescued 18 survivors and recovered 12 bodies, heading for the port of Agia Galini.
Meanwhile, in two additional operations, approximately 30 and 31 nautical miles south of Kala Limena, small boats carrying approximately 47 and 40 foreign nationals, respectively, were located. The passengers were rescued by Frontex vessels after being located with the assistance of manned and unmanned aerial vehicles, and are being transported to Kalo Limenes. Of the 28 people rescued in the first incident, two were taken to the University Hospital of Heraklion (PAGNI) for medical treatment, while the rest were taken to Heraklion.
According to their accounts, they had set out from the Libyan coast on November 3 or 4, paying between 12,000 and 16,000 Libyan dinars each for their transport to Greece.
Two Sudanese nationals, aged 28 and 16, were arrested in connection with the case; they were identified by the others as the smugglers. Charges were filed against them for illegal entry into the country, facilitating illegal entry, forming a criminal organization, and endangering lives.
Source: ertnews.gr
