Migrant Boats Sink One After Another in Greek Waters... Deaths and Missing Persons Surge

Boat Accident Involving Migrants from Egypt, Afghanistan, Iran, etc.
Greece Criticizes "Smuggling Networks Driving People to Death"

Every year, thousands of people set out on dangerous journeys in rubber boats from the coast of Turkey to enter the Greek islands, often losing their lives. Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] Two migrant boats sank consecutively in the southern sea of Greece, resulting in at least 21 deaths and dozens missing.

According to AP and AFP on the 2nd (local time), a boat carrying 68 migrants sank in the sea near an island close to Athens the previous afternoon. Subsequently, the Greek Coast Guard dispatched a team to the scene and recovered 20 bodies by the afternoon of the 2nd. So far, 12 people have been rescued, and 36 are reported missing.

Among them, 9 were rescued on an uninhabited island near the accident site. All the survivors are male, with nationalities including Egypt, Afghanistan, and Iran. The survivors said that 68 people were on the boat that departed from Izmir, T?rkiye.

The number of missing is estimated to be as high as 36. AP reported that the Kafireas Strait, where the accident occurred, is notorious for rough waves. At the time of the accident, strong winds blowing at 50 km/h were present. Earlier, on the 31st of last month, a boat carrying 12 migrants capsized near the Greek island of Samos. The search operation has been ongoing for three days, but the fate of 7 missing persons remains unknown. Among the remaining 5, 4 were rescued, and 1 was found dead.

According to the survivors, the boat they were on departed from T?rkiye and was attempting to enter Greece when it encountered bad weather. Migrants leaving the Middle East and heading to Europe suffered another tragedy.

On October 31st, the day before, a boat carrying 12 Palestinian migrants also sank in Greek waters, with 4 rescued and 1 dead. Seven remain missing. Last month, another boat carrying migrants sank at sea, resulting in 18 deaths.

As migrant boats continue to sink one after another, Greece has once again criticized T?rkiye. The Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs said, "Ruthless human smuggling organizations are driving people to death," and added, "Greece is trying its best to rescue as many people as possible."

The two countries have been in continuous conflict over the issue of migrant smuggling. A significant number of those who choose to escape from Africa or the Middle East cross from T?rkiye into Greece. Every year, thousands of people attempt to enter Europe by departing from the Turkish coast, passing through Greek islands. Most of them board rubber boats without engines or cabins, relying mainly on the wind, and often lose their lives during these dangerous voyages.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.