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Dozens killed as migrant boat capsizes off Greece | Dozens killed as migrant boat capsizes off Greece |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Survivors have been taken to the town of Kalamata for treatment | Survivors have been taken to the town of Kalamata for treatment |
At least 59 migrants have drowned and more than 100 have been rescued after their fishing vessel capsized off the coast of southern Greece. | At least 59 migrants have drowned and more than 100 have been rescued after their fishing vessel capsized off the coast of southern Greece. |
The shipwreck is the deadliest off Greece this year. | The shipwreck is the deadliest off Greece this year. |
It is unclear how many people were on the boat when it sank about 50 miles (80 km) south-west of Pylos. | |
But Greek officials and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) say that hundreds of people could have been on board. | But Greek officials and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) say that hundreds of people could have been on board. |
Greece's coastguard said the boat was spotted in international waters late on Tuesday by an aircraft belonging to EU border agency Frontex. | Greece's coastguard said the boat was spotted in international waters late on Tuesday by an aircraft belonging to EU border agency Frontex. |
The coastguard said that the passengers "refused any help" and that none on board were wearing life jackets. | The coastguard said that the passengers "refused any help" and that none on board were wearing life jackets. |
But just a few hours later, the boat capsized and sank, triggering a search and rescue operation, which was then complicated by strong winds. | But just a few hours later, the boat capsized and sank, triggering a search and rescue operation, which was then complicated by strong winds. |
The boat was reportedly en route to Italy from Libya, with most of those on board reportedly men in their 20s. | The boat was reportedly en route to Italy from Libya, with most of those on board reportedly men in their 20s. |
A migration ministry source told the AFP news agency that "hundreds" of people were on board. "We fear there will be a very large number of missing persons," the official said. | A migration ministry source told the AFP news agency that "hundreds" of people were on board. "We fear there will be a very large number of missing persons," the official said. |
The IOM tweeted: "We fear more lives were lost. Initial reports suggest up to 400 people were on board." | The IOM tweeted: "We fear more lives were lost. Initial reports suggest up to 400 people were on board." |
The nationalities of the victims have not yet been announced. Survivors have been taken to the town of Kalamata for treatment. | The nationalities of the victims have not yet been announced. Survivors have been taken to the town of Kalamata for treatment. |
Greece is one of the main routes into the European Union for refugees and migrants from the Middle East, Asia and Africa. | Greece is one of the main routes into the European Union for refugees and migrants from the Middle East, Asia and Africa. |
Last month the Greek government came under international criticism over video footage reportedly showing the forceful expulsion of migrants who were set adrift at sea. | Last month the Greek government came under international criticism over video footage reportedly showing the forceful expulsion of migrants who were set adrift at sea. |
More than 70,000 refugees and migrants have arrived in Europe's frontline countries this year, with the majority landing in Italy, according to UN data. | More than 70,000 refugees and migrants have arrived in Europe's frontline countries this year, with the majority landing in Italy, according to UN data. |
Related Topics | Related Topics |
Greece | Greece |
Europe migrant crisis | Europe migrant crisis |