Eight individuals, comprising six children, have lost their lives after a migrant vessel capsized off the coast of Samos, spurring both rescue operations and renewed calls for action against human trafficking.
Tragedy at Sea: Eight Migrants, Including Children, Drown Near Samos
Tragedy at Sea: Eight Migrants, Including Children, Drown Near Samos
A devastating incident highlights the ongoing migrant crisis in Greece, as search and rescue efforts reveal heartbreaking losses.
At least eight people, including six innocent children, have drowned following the sinking of a migrant boat near the Greek island of Samos, as confirmed by the Greek coastguard. Rescue teams managed to save approximately 40 survivors from the Aegean Sea amidst challenging weather conditions, with strong winds hampering their efforts.
According to sources, an NGO prompted the Greek authorities to initiate the rescue operation, believing that around 50 individuals were aboard the ill-fated vessel at the time of the accident. In a statement reflecting the severity of the tragedy, Greece's migration minister, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, expressed his sorrow and anger over the incident and reiterated the government's commitment to combat human trafficking.
Located near the Turkish coastline, Samos has historically been a critical entry point for migrants seeking to reach Europe. In fact, over 50,000 migrants have crossed into Greece by boat in 2023 alone, positioning it as the second most trafficked maritime route in Europe, following Italy. Although migrant arrivals had shown a decline since August, a surge has been noted again as summer drew to a close, according to the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR).
Year-to-date, approximately 160,000 migrants have arrived in Europe via sea routes, resulting in tragic losses, with 2,000 people reported dead or missing. Out of the total migrant arrivals, around 23 percent are children, underscoring the grave impact of the ongoing crisis on the most vulnerable populations.
