1st LD Writethru: Death toll of new migrant boat sinking in Aegean rises to 28, including 14 children
Xinhua, September 13, 2015 Adjust font size:
The death toll of the latest tragedy unfolding on Sunday in the Aegean Sea off the coasts of Farmakonissi island after the sinking of a boat carrying undocumented migrants and refugees from Turkey to Greece has reached 28 victims, including 14 children and babies, according to Greek Coast Guard.
As a rescue operation to locate a yet unclear number of missing was underway Greek authorities said that they have so far retrieved the bodies of at least four babies and ten children next to adults.
Eight bodies were found trapped inside the dinghy which capsized under still undetermined circumstances.
Survivors have told Greek Coast Guard that about 120 people were on board the boat. Earlier information had put their number to approximately 100.
The new tragedy occurred as the Greek caretaker Prime Minister Vassiliki Thanou was visiting Aegean Sea islands which have received unprecedented waves of undocumented migrants and refugees this year, pledging the creation of more reception centers.
According to the latest official estimates more than 230,000 refugees and migrants have reached Greece's shores from the start of 2015. Eight out of ten were Syrian fleeing the war.
More than 2,700 people have perished in the sea during their attempt in the Mediterranean this year. Endit