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Overloaded boat carrying migrants sank off Greece, 78 people died

14 June 2023 19:12 (UTC +04:00)

At least 78 migrants drowned early on Wednesday and more were feared missing after their overloaded boat capsized and sank off Greece, in one of Europe's deadliest shipwrecks this year, APA reports citing Reuters.

By midday, 104 people had been rescued, authorities said, but it remained unclear how many were on board when the vessel - whose occupants the coast guard said had refused an offer of help late on Tuesday - went under.

"We fear the number of dead will rise," said a shipping ministry official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Greece is one of the main routes into the European Union for refugees and migrants from the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Most cross over to Greek islands from nearby Türkiye, but a growing number of boats also undertake a longer, more dangerous journey from Türkiye to Italy via Greece.

State broadcaster ERT said the boat that sank had set sail from the Libyan town of Tobruk, which lies south of the Greek island of Crete, and was headed to Italy.

"Deeply saddened by the news of the shipwreck off the Greek coast and the many reported deaths. Very concerned by the number of missing people. We must continue to work together, with Member States and 3rd countries, to prevent such tragedies," Ursula von der Leyen said on Twitter.