Tragedy Strikes as Boat Capsizes Off Gavdos, Greece: Five Confirmed Drowned
At least five individuals have drowned after their wooden boat capsized off the southern island of Gavdos, according to reports from the Greek coastguard. Rescue efforts have so far saved 39 men, predominantly from Pakistan, who were retrieved by nearby cargo vessels. These survivors have been transferred to the island of Crete for further assistance. The coastguard has indicated that the number of those missing is still unconfirmed, raising concerns about the fate of others aboard the ill-fated vessel.
The tragedy unfolded on Friday night, prompting a coordinated search operation involving coastguard boats, merchant vessels, an Italian frigate, and naval aircraft. Authorities intensified their efforts as they received alerts about the capsizing incident.
In a separate series of incidents on Saturday, a Malta-flagged cargo vessel managed to rescue 47 people from a struggling boat located approximately 40 nautical miles off Gavdos, while a tanker also came to the aid of 88 others approximately 28 nautical miles from the small island, emphasizing the perilous conditions faced by those attempting to cross the Mediterranean.
Reports suggest that the boats involved in these crises left together from Libya, highlighting the continued hazardous journey migrants and refugees undertake in search of a better future in Europe. Greece has historically been a significant entry point for migrants from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, particularly during the migrant crisis peak in 2015-2016, when nearly one million individuals landed on its shores.
The frequency of incidents involving boats and shipwrecks in the waters off Crete and its neighboring Gavdos has risen sharply over the past year, prompting serious concerns among humanitarian organizations and officials alike. In 2023, the Mediterranean witnessed a heartbreaking series of deaths, including one of its deadliest tragedies when an overcrowded vessel capsized and sank in international waters near the southwestern town of Pylos.
As rescue operations continue, the plight of these individuals serves as a tragic reminder of the ongoing crisis many face while seeking safety and a stable life in Europe.
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