International media have reported that at least 78 refugees died when a boat carrying a group of refugees capsized off the coast of Greece.
The overturning of the refugee boat on the coast of Greece; 78 refugees drowned
15 Jun 2023 - 9:00
International media have reported that at least 78 refugees died when a boat carrying a group of refugees capsized off the coast of Greece.
Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): AFP reported that at least 78 refugees died after the boat carrying a group of refugees capsized off the coast of Greece.
According to the Greek authorities, rescuers have rescued 104 people during an operation on Wednesday (June 14).
Officials of the Greek Ministry of Shipping have said that these refugees are from Egypt, Pakistan and Syria.
The boat was first spotted on Tuesday afternoon (June 13) by a European Border Surveillance Agency aircraft, but the boat's occupants "refused to ask for any assistance," according to a statement from Greek port authorities.
The Greek Coast Guard wrote in a statement that none of the passengers were wearing life jackets when the boat sank.
According to the preliminary information of the Greek authorities, this boat with hundreds of refugees had left Libya for Italy.
This is the deadliest such incident on the Greek coast since a boat carrying refugees capsized off the coast of Greece on June 3, 2016, killing 320 people.
On the external borders of the European Union in the Mediterranean Sea, Greece is one of the main crossings for asylum seekers to enter Europe. Many of these asylum seekers go to Europe through Turkey and Greece.
In most cases, these refugees use boats that are not very safe, and every now and then there is a fatal overturning of their boats.
In some cases, asylum seekers try to go directly to Italy by crossing the Mediterranean Sea in the southern Peloponnese or the island of Crete.
A yacht with 80 asylum seekers sailing off Crete was also rescued on Wednesday and taken by coast guard patrol boats to the port of Calvi Lymans in the south of the island, according to Greek port police.
Story Code: 271781