Another tragedy unfolded in the Aegean claiming the lives of four people, when a boat carrying irregular migrants sank off the coast of Kos, in the Fokas area, on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
The incident that occurred late Tuesday night resulted in the Greek Coast Guard and one private boat participating in rescue efforts. The four vessels were deployed in the Fokas area to search for possible missing persons after passengers had fallen into the sea from the overloaded boat.
According to reports, approximately 31 individuals were on board the vessel, with 27 of them finally being rescued. Four migrants were recovered from the sea unconscious, of whom two women and two boys, aged between two and four years.
They were immediately transported to the port of Kos and then transferred to the island’s General Hospital where their death was, unfortunately, confirmed.
The hospital’s pediatrician, who was called upon to attend to a baby found trembling in a critical condition, moved many with her heartbreaking description of the sight of the two other deceased children.
As reported authorities have arrested an individual suspected of being the smuggler responsible for the illegal transport of the migrants. The detainee is believed to have been guiding the overloaded inflatable boat.
Meanwhile, in another incident involving migrants, a rescue operation is underway in the sea area south of Crete, in the Aegean Sea. Efforts are being made to locate 12 individuals who went missing after their vessel sank 21 nautical miles south of the small island of Gavdos.
The boat was reportedly carrying dozens of migrants, with 96 of them having already been picked up by a cargo ship and safely transported to Crete.
The ongoing rescue search involves two Coast Guard vessels, six nearby ships, and an Air Force helicopter.
