Shillong, June 15: In a devastating incident off the coast of Greece, an overloaded ship carrying migrants capsized and sank, resulting in the loss of at least 79 lives. This maritime disaster, one of the deadliest in recent years in Europe, took place early on Wednesday, triggering rescue operations to locate any survivors.
Estimates from a European rescue-support charity suggest that approximately 750 individuals were aboard the vessel, while the UN’s migration agency puts the number at up to 400.
By midday, rescue teams had managed to save 104 people, revealing that the ill-fated boat had departed from Libya. Most of the migrants on board were believed to be from Egypt, Syria, and Pakistan.
Search and rescue efforts persisted tirelessly throughout the day and night, with military aircraft deploying flares to illuminate the Mediterranean waters near the location of the wreckage, situated roughly 50 miles (80 km) southwest of Pylos, a coastal town in southern Greece.
Survivors were transported to the Greek port of Kalamata near Pylos, where they received vital medical attention and temporary shelter.
According to the Greek coast guard, they had approached the vessel and offered assistance, but the migrants on the outer deck declined help and expressed their determination to continue their journey. Tragically, a few hours later, the ship began to capsize and ultimately sank at around 2 am on Wednesday.
