After the sinking of a refugee boat southwest of Greece, there is no longer any hope of being able to rescue survivors.
(Photo: dpa)
Athens After the boat accident in the Mediterranean Sea, which probably killed several hundred people, the search for survivors is coming to an end. The Greek Coast Guard was still active in the region on Saturday with a frigate, three patrol boats and a helicopter. However, strong winds made the work difficult. There is practically no longer any hope of rescuing other survivors. Greek media speculated that the search would gradually end this weekend.
On Wednesday, a fishing boat completely overcrowded with 500 to 700 migrants sank on its way from Africa to Europe. 104 people could be saved, 78 were found dead. According to the Coast Guard, the other passengers were below deck and were pulled down with the boat. The site of the accident, around 50 nautical miles southwest of the Peloponnese peninsula, is right above the Calypso low – at more than 5,000 meters the deepest point in the Mediterranean. The fishing trawler may never be recovered.
The investigation focuses on nine survivors who were arrested as suspected smugglers. One of them is still in the hospital. The Egyptians – between 20 and 40 years old – are accused of human trafficking, negligent homicide and forming a criminal organization. They are said to belong to a ring of human smugglers who may have organized up to 18 of the dangerous crossings from the Libyan coast to Italy in recent months, state broadcaster ERT reported.
Survivors said they paid 5,000 to 6,000 euros per person for the death trip. The suspected smugglers will be brought before the public prosecutor on Monday.
More: After a shipwreck in the Mediterranean – authorities arrest the first suspects