2023-06-14 10:06:15
The Greek Coast Guard confirms “an extensive search and rescue operation” in the area of the event
MADRID, 14 (EUROPA PRESS)
At least 17 people have died this Wednesday after the sinking of a boat in international waters off the coast of Greece, as indicated by the Greek authorities, who have added that a hundred people have been rescued in the area, located about 87 kilometers from the city of Pylos, in the Peloponnese region (south).
The Greek Coast Guard has indicated in a statement published on its website that “one hundred people have been rescued so far” -all of them transferred to Kalamata-, adding that “17 bodies have been identified and recovered” in the framework of search and rescue work.
Shortly before, he had pointed to the start of “a broad search and rescue operation” in the area under the coordination of the Unified Search and Rescue Coordination Center and stressed that the authorities were informed on Tuesday about the presence in the area of a vessel “with a large number of foreigners on board”.
In this regard, he stated that the vessel was detected by a plane from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) and two ships that passed through the area, “without requesting assistance.”
“In consecutive phone calls by the Operations Room to the ship to give help, a negative response was received. During the afternoon, a Coast Guard ship approached the ship to give food, although the foreigners refused the supplies and any other assistance,” he said.
The Coast Guard has reported that the occupants of the boat “expressed their desire to continue their journey to Italy”, while the Greek authorities remained “close to the boat for the possible delivery of aid”.
“Early today, the fishing boat capsized and subsequently sank, after which an extensive search and rescue operation was immediately launched,” he said, before detailing that they are participating in it. ships and planes.
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