MWE Correspondent
In a tragic incident that has shocked the international community, seventeen migrants die after boat capsizes off Crete, highlighting once again the dangers of the Mediterranean Sea migration route.
The vessel, a small overcrowded inflatable boat, sank south of the Greek island of Crete, leaving authorities scrambling to recover victims and survivors.
The half-submerged boat was discovered on Saturday morning, about 36 nautical miles off Ierapetra, after a passing Turkish commercial ship alerted Greek authorities. This triggered a large-scale rescue operation led by the Hellenic Coast Guard, with assistance from Frontex patrol aircraft, a Super Puma search-and-rescue helicopter, and nearby merchant vessels.
Officials reported that most of the passengers were adult men, and the boat had filled with water, trapping people in cramped, life-threatening conditions. Two survivors, reportedly from Egypt, were recovered alive but suffering from severe dehydration and hypothermia. They were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Preliminary investigations suggest the boat had departed from Tobruk, Libya, on December 1, carrying about 34 people, including migrants from Sudan and South Sudan. Survivors claimed that roughly 15 passengers fell overboard during rough seas, and their fate remains unknown. Authorities warn that the death toll could rise if further bodies are recovered.
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This incident underscores the continued peril along the central Mediterranean route, which remains one of the deadliest migration pathways in the world. Humanitarian organizations emphasize the urgent need for safe and legal migration channels to prevent such tragedies, noting that winter conditions and overcrowded vessels increase the risk of death.
Greek authorities are continuing their search-and-rescue operations, though strong winds and rough seas have hampered efforts. The semi-submerged dinghy has been towed to shore for examination as officials attempt to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to this disaster.
The tragedy also raises broader concerns for Europe, as experts warn that crossings from North Africa to the European Union remain highly dangerous. Migrants risk exposure, starvation, dehydration, and drowning while attempting to reach safety, and authorities continue to call for international coordination to prevent future loss of life.
