Greece’s coast guard is defending its actions in response to the tragic incident involving a ship carrying hundreds of migrants, which sunk off the southern coast of the country. This disaster has led to a significant increase in criticism of the European Union’s failure to develop a comprehensive migration and asylum policy. The search and rescue operation has extended beyond the standard 72 hours, as a round-the-clock effort continues to scour the area of the Mediterranean Sea where the overloaded fishing vessel capsized and sank early on Wednesday. The Greek coast guard has removed 104 survivors from the water and recovered 78 bodies to date, but no more have been located since late on Wednesday.

Greek Coast Guard Defends Actions After Tragic Shipwreck

The Incident

The sinking of the overcrowded fishing boat has resulted in one of the deadliest maritime catastrophes in modern times. The vessel was carrying hundreds of migrants and was traveling from Libya to Italy when it capsized off the coast of Greece, claiming the lives of an estimated 500 people.

The Response

The Greek coast guard has been widely praised for its response to the incident over the last few days. The search and rescue operation has been tirelessly working to locate any survivors or additional bodies since the vessel sank on Wednesday. The scale of the disaster has put fresh pressure on both the Greek government and the European Union.

Extended Search and Rescue Operation

The search and rescue operation for any potential survivors is still ongoing beyond the standard 72-hour limit. The Greek coast guard has been patrolling the area, and the operation continues around the clock, despite the low likelihood of finding anyone still alive.

104 Survivors Found

At present, the search and rescue operation has succeeded in finding 104 survivors, who were rescued from the water by patrol boats and a helicopter. However, rescuers have not located any additional survivors since Wednesday night.

78 Bodies Recovered

Rescuers have recovered 78 bodies, but they have not located any since late on Wednesday. The actual number of fatalities may be higher than the current 78, whose bodies have been recovered.

The Criticism of the EU

The disaster is increasing the focus on the European Union’s inability to agree and implement a comprehensive migration and asylum policy. The absence of a comprehensive policy has lead to further tragic incidents, with thousands of migrants dying at sea while attempting to reach other countries for safety.

Greek Coast Guard Defends Their Response

The Greek coast guard is defending its response to the sinking of the overloaded fishing vessel carrying migrants. They have worked tirelessly to rescue survivors and locate any additional bodies. The coast guard continues to patrol the area, despite the low possibility of finding any more survivors. They remain committed to maintaining safety in the Mediterranean and will continue their search and rescue efforts.

Conclusion

The tragic sinking of an overcrowded fishing vessel carrying migrants off the southern coast of Greece has led to significant criticism of the European Union’s lack of cooperation in developing an effective migration and asylum policy. In response to this incident, the Greek coast guard has remained vigilant in its efforts to search for survivors and recover bodies. They are determined to maintain safety in the Mediterranean and to continue their search and rescue efforts.

FAQs

Q: Is the Greek coast guard still searching for survivors?

A: Yes, the search and rescue operation is still ongoing.

Q: How many survivors have been found so far?

A: Rescuers have found 104 survivors.

Q: How many bodies have been recovered?

A: Rescuers have recovered 78 bodies, but because the search is still ongoing, this number could increase.

Q: What action is the European Union taking in response to this tragedy?

A: The incident has put further pressure on the European Union to develop and implement a comprehensive migration and asylum policy.

Q: What can the international community do to help prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future?

A: The international community can cooperate in developing effective policies, providing funding for search and rescue operations, and engaging in rescue efforts in the Mediterranean to ensure the safety of migrants and refugees.