2nd LD Writethru: Death toll from refugee boat tragedy off Crete increases to nine
Xinhua, June 4, 2016 Adjust font size:
Nine people have lost their lives in the latest refugee boat tragedy unfolding in the Mediterranean Sea since Friday morning, according to the latest information from the Greek Coast Guard.
The number of refugees and migrants rescued from the sinking vessel south of Crete island during an ongoing operation stands at 340, officials told Xinhua, as local media expressed concern for dozens missing.
The Greek Coast Guard does not confirm earlier estimates by the International Organization of Migration that about 700 people may have been on the vessel when it took water from Egypt 75 nautical miles south of Crete.
The rescue operation continues under good weather conditions and is conducted by the Greek Shipping Ministry operation center in Piraeus port.
According to Greek Coast Guard sources the survivors will not disembark in a Greek port but be transferred to Italy, Malta, Egypt and Turkey.
It is believed that the ship had departed from north Africa heading to Italy.
More than 2,500 people have perished in the Mediterranean in 2016, according to the UNHCR, despite international efforts to stem the flow into Europe and address the trafficking networks. Endit