After the boat accident in the Mediterranean, which probably killed several hundred people, the search for survivors has come to an end. The Greek coastguard was still on duty on Saturday with a frigate, three patrol boats and a helicopter, but strong winds made work more difficult. There is practically no hope left to save other survivors.
On Wednesday, a completely overcrowded fishing boat carrying 500 to 700 migrants sank on its way from Africa to Europe. 104 people could be saved, 78 were found dead. According to the Coast Guard, the other passengers were below deck and were pulled down by boat. The accident site, some 50 nautical miles southwest of the Peloponnese peninsula, lies directly above the Calypso layer – at over 5,000 meters the deepest point in the Mediterranean Sea. The fishing boat can never be found.
Even if rescuers are still searching for the missing persons, Greek media speculated on Saturday that the search should gradually end this weekend. There is simply little hope of rescuing survivors.
Smugglers arrested
The investigation is now focused on nine survivors who were arrested as suspected smugglers. One of them is still in the hospital. The Egyptians are charged with human trafficking, negligent homicide and forming a criminal organization. They are said to belong to a gang of people smugglers who have organized up to 18 dangerous crossings from the Libyan coast in recent months.
Survivors said they paid 5,000 to 6,000 euros per person for the death journey. The suspected smugglers will be brought before the public prosecutor’s office on Monday.
Source: Krone
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