More than 70 bodies recovered after migrant boat sinks off Greece, search continues
The 25- to 30-meter boat is believed to have left the Tobruk area in Libya, which was plunged into chaos following the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed longtime autocrat Moammar Gadhafi. The instability allowed migrant smugglers to make Libya one of the main departure points for people seeking a better life in Europe.
“This situation reinforces the urgency for concrete, comprehensive action from states to save lives at sea and reduce perilous journeys by expanding safe and regular pathways to migration,” Rocco said. “The best way to ensure safety of migrants is to prevent these catastrophic journeys and invest in legal pathways,” she wrote on Twitter.
The spot is close to the deepest part of the Mediterranean Sea, and depths of up to 17,000 feet could hamper any effort to locate a sunken vessel.Thirty survivors ranging in age from 16 to 49 were hospitalized with hypothermia or fever. In February, at least 94 people died when a wooden boat from Turkey sank off Cutro, in southern Italy, in the worst Mediterranean sinking so far this year.
After that first alert, Frontex aircraft and two merchant ships spotted the boat heading north, according to the Greek coast guard, and more aircraft and ships were sent to the area.“In the afternoon, a merchant vessel approached the ship and provided it with food and supplies, while the refused any further assistance,” a statement said. A second merchant ship later offered more supplies and assistance, which were turned down, it added.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
59 dead, 104 rescued after boat carrying migrants capsizes near GreeceLATEST: At least 32 people are dead, while 104 have been rescued after a boat carrying migrants capsized and sank in the Mediterranean. Unconfirmed early estimates put hundreds of migrants -- perhaps as many as 650 -- on board when the boat began to sink.
Read more »
59 dead, 104 rescued after boat carrying migrants capsizes near GreeceRescue efforts are underway after a fishing vessel carrying migrants capsized in the Mediterranean Sea, about 54 miles off the coast of Greece.
Read more »
78 dead, 104 rescued after boat carrying migrants capsizes near GreeceRescue efforts are underway after a fishing vessel carrying migrants capsized in the Mediterranean Sea, about 54 miles off the coast of Greece.
Read more »
79 dead, 104 rescued after boat carrying migrants capsizes near GreecePictures released by the Greek Coast Guard show hundreds of migrants crowded on a vessel that subsequently capsized in the Mediterranean, killing at least 79 people, in what is the deadliest migrant shipwreck off Greece this year.
Read more »
Greece finds no more survivors of migrant boat disaster with hundreds missingAt least 78 bodies have been recovered after a fishing boat crammed with migrants sank in deep waters off the Greek coast. Rescuers saved 104 passengers but authorities fear that hundreds of others may have been trapped below deck.
Read more »
59 dead, 104 rescued after boat carrying migrants sinks off Greek coastAt least 59 people died after a vessel carrying migrants from Libya to Italy sank, Greek authorities said Wednesday — with fears that more people are missing at sea.
Read more »