18-Year-Old Survivor from the 'Boat of Death' Refugees Reunites Dramatically with Family

Greece Continues Search for Missing in Capsizing Accident for Third Day
Syrians and Others Risk Lives to Reach Europe "5.7 Million Won Per Person"

Yonhap News reported on the refugee boat rescue situation unfolding in Greece. On that day, Fadi, a Syrian who arrived at a shelter in Kalamata, southern Greece, via the Netherlands, embraced and showered kisses on his younger brother’s head after confirming he was safe. Eighteen-year-old Mohammad burst into tears as soon as he saw his brother’s face.

It has been three days since an incident occurred on the 14th, when a fishing boat carrying hundreds of migrants capsized in strong winds 75 km southwest of the Peloponnese coast in Greece.

Mohammad, a survivor of the boat capsizing accident, bursts into tears upon meeting his brother Padi.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Among those heading from Libya to Italy, 78 were found dead, and only 104 survived. Their nationalities vary, including Syrian, Egyptian, Pakistani, and Palestinian. With the exact number of passengers unconfirmed and no progress in the search for the missing, some fear the death toll could reach up to 500.

Dozens of people hoping that their relatives might have survived gathered at shelters, waiting for additional rescue news. Each person held onto people passing by beyond the bars set up by the police, showing smartphone photos of their family members’ faces to confirm their fate.

Adil Hussein, from Pakistan, was one of them. His brother had stayed illegally in Greece for over a decade before returning to Pakistan. However, unable to overcome poverty in his homeland, he headed back to Italy and met with tragedy. Adil cried out, "Where is my brother?"

Anwar Bakri, Secretary-General of the Greek Syrian Association, said, "This is a tragedy," adding, "Parents searching for missing children aged from infants to 16, 20, and 25 years old have sent me photos."

He continued, "There are no women survivors yet," lowering his head, "All the women died, sank, and drowned holding their children."

Among the rescued survivors, the majority of 71 were transferred to the Malakasa detention center located 40 km outside Athens. They are expected to apply for asylum with the Greek government. The survivors who returned alive paid $4,500 (approximately 5.76 million KRW) per person to Libyan brokers to board the boat.

The exact circumstances of the fishing boat’s capsizing remain unclear. However, about 15 hours before the sinking, Greek authorities approached the fishing boat, but the passengers reportedly refused help, saying they wanted to go to Italy. Regarding claims that the Greek Coast Guard caused the accident while trying to tow the boat, Greek authorities dismissed them, stating, "There was no attempt to pull the boat."

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