12/5/2023 0 Comments Recent plane crashes in greece![]() ![]() Greece has been criticised for forcibly expelling would-be asylum seekers in violation of international law. The Greek migration ministry blamed international smuggling networks for putting lives of migrants and refugees at risk, while the UN high commissioner for refugees, Filippo Grandi, called on governments to work together to create safe pathways for people fleeing poverty and war. “And the journeys are taking much longer because the destination is Italy.” “We are seeing growing numbers plying open seas that are more dangerous because they are prone to more stormy weather,” said Natassa Strachimi, a lawyer with Refugee Support Aegean, an NGO that provides legal aid to asylum seekers. They are increasingly operating in international seaways with the aim of dropping off their human cargo in Italy rather than heavily guarded Greece. Smugglers are taking ever greater risks to evade patrols. “But they refused any assistance and said they wanted to continue to Italy.” A coastguard patrol boat reached the vessel in the evening “and confirmed the presence of a large number of migrants on the deck”, the statement said. “In the afternoon, a merchant vessel approached the ship and provided it with food and supplies, while the refused any further assistance,” the coastguard said.Ī second merchant ship later offered further supplies and assistance, which were turned down, the agency added. Repeated calls to the vessel offering help were declined, the coastguard said in a statement. Greek authorities and officials from the EU border agency Frontex were alerted to the stricken ship late on Tuesday. A precise number cannot with certainty be given but what is sure is that it is very big.” “The outer part of the boat was full of people and we assume that was the case below deck too,” Nikos Alexiou, a spokesperson for the Hellenic coastguard, told reporters. The blue trawler appeared to have hundreds of people on board. On Wednesday evening the first aerial pictures emerged of the overcrowded vessel before it capsized. “The engine stopped and it sank in minutes,” said one. Greek media outlets quoted survivors as saying the ship went down almost instantaneously, close to the deepest area of the Mediterranean Sea. Rescue efforts were initially hampered by strong winds. A European rescue support charity said it believed about 750 people were onboard, and the UN’s migration agency cited an estimate of as many as 400.Ĭoastguard vessels, a navy frigate, military transport planes, an air force helicopter and an array of private craft were participating in the search for survivors. ![]() Ioannis Zafiropoulos, the deputy mayor of the southern port city of Kalamata, where survivors were taken, said his information indicated there were more than 500 people onboard. It has sunk.”Ībout 104 passengers had been rescued as of Wednesday afternoon, he said. “Speculation is rife that as many as 600 people were onboard but that has not been confirmed. “There has been a dramatic rise in the death count, which is climbing by the hour,” said one Greek official. The European Union has sent 500 firefighters, 100 vehicles and seven planes from 10 member states, while Turkey, Israel, Egypt and other countries have also sent help.It was unclear how many passengers were missing from the vessel, which had set out from eastern Libya and was heading for Italy.īy nightfall, Greece’s caretaker government had declared three days of national mourning to mark the tragedy. ![]() “In the face of what the entire planet is facing, especially the Mediterranean which is a climate change hot-spot, there is no magical defence mechanism, if there was we would have implemented it.”Įarlier today cabinet minister Michael Gove told Sky News he was going on holiday to Evia in just over a week, adding that it was “absolutely right” that people were still travelling to the country. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Tuesday the next days would be difficult, with conditions possibly improving after Thursday. ![]() The blaze in Rhodes has been moving inland away from the popular resort areas, causing major damage to homes and the environment.Įvacuation orders have also been issued on the islands of Corfu and Evia. The worst fires have taken place on the island of Rhodes, forcing tens of thousands of people, including British holidaymakers staying in hotels, to evacuate. ![]()
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