At least 79 migrants drowned and hundreds more were feared dead after an overloaded ship capsized and sank off the coast of Greece. The incident, one of the deadliest shipping disasters in Europe in recent years, occurred early on Wednesday and rescue operations were underway to find survivors.
According to a European rescue-support charity, around 750 people were on board the vessel, while the UN’s migration agency put the number at up to 400. By midday, 104 people had been rescued and reports indicated that the boat had departed from Libya.
Most of the migrants on board were believed to be from Egypt, Syria and Pakistan.Search and rescue efforts continued throughout the day and night, with military aircraft deploying flares to illuminate the Mediterranean waters near the wreck site, which was located approximately 50 miles (80 km) southwest of Pylos, a coastal town in southern Greece.
Survivors were taken to the Greek port of Kalamata near Pylos, where they received medical attention and temporary shelter.
The Greek coast guard reported that they had approached the vessel and offered assistance, but the migrants on the outer deck refused help and expressed their desire to continue the journey. However, a few hours later, the vessel started to capsize and ultimately sank around 2 am on Wednesday.
