Tragedy Strikes as Dozens Die in Refugee Shipwrecks off Greece
Rescue teams launched a frantic search-and-rescue mission northwest of Paros overnight Friday after a refugee boat tragedy. Authorities recovered the bodies of 12 men, three women, and an infant from the wreckage.
The vessel, carrying around 80 people, was reportedly sailing from Turkey to Italy. Coastguard forces deployed air and sea units to the scene early Saturday, but the grim toll continued to rise.
Greece’s Deadly Refugee Route Claims More Lives
Greece remains a key entry point into the EU for migrants and refugees from Africa and the Middle East. Although the influx has slowed since the 2015-2016 crisis when over a million crossed, dangers persist.
Earlier on Friday, authorities recovered 11 bodies after another sailboat sank off a remote southern Greek islet. Ninety people were rescued in that operation.
Just days earlier, a boat with up to 50 refugees capsized near Folegandros island, with dozens feared missing. The UN refugee agency called that incident the worst Aegean shipwreck this year.
UN Sounds Alarm on Dangerous Sea Crossings
“This shipwreck is a painful reminder that people continue to embark on perilous voyages in search of safety,” said Adriano Silvestri, UNHCR Assistant Representative in Greece.
The UNHCR estimates over 2,500 lives have been lost or gone missing at sea attempting to reach Europe from January to November 2023 alone. Back in 2015, nearly a million refugees, mostly Syrians, flooded into the EU through Greek islands close to Turkey.
