Greece: At least 79 migrants drowned early on Wednesday and hundreds more were feared dead or missing after their overloaded boat capsized and sank in open seas off Greece, in one of Europe’s deadliest shipping disasters.

As painstaking search for survivors continued, European rescue support charity said it believed around 750 people were on board 20- to 30-metre-long (65-100 foot) vessel, while UN’s migration agency cited an estimate of up to 400. Greek authorities said it was too soon to speculate on total number.

ERT TV said most of those on board were young men in their 20s. Shipping Ministry official who spoke on condition of anonymity said most were from Egypt, Syria and Pakistan. Survivors were taken to southwestern Greek coastal town of Kalamata and were expected to be moved to camp outside Athens, Migration Ministry said. “According to people, there were 750 people on board. We now hear reports of shipwreck and fear they are true,” it said on twitter. Greek authorities said it remained unclear how many vessel was carrying when it went under and that 104 people had been rescued by midday. “It is not safe to give number. We do not know how many people were in hold,” Greek coast guard spokesperson Nikos Alexiou told Greece’s MEGA TV. “There were too many people on outer deck. It was full.” A few hours later, vessel began veering from side to side before capsising around 2am on Wednesday and then sinking, government official said.

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 15 2023

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