Tragedy Strikes as Seven Migrants Perish in Boat Sinking off Greek Island of Lesbos
At least seven migrants lost their lives, including one boy, one girl, and two women when their boat sank on Thursday off the Greek island of Lesbos, as reported by Greece’s coastguard.
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday when a coastguard vessel spotted the sinking boat north of Lesbos around 2 a.m. local time (2300 GMT on Wednesday).
Rescue efforts managed to save 23 migrants, with ongoing search operations to locate any remaining survivors. The total number of individuals aboard the ill-fated vessel remains unclear.
Greece, situated in the southeastern region of the European Union, has historically served as a primary entry point to Europe for migrants and refugees from various parts of the world. In 2015, nearly one million individuals arrived on Greek islands seeking refuge.
Last year alone, approximately 54,000 migrants reached Greece, ranking it as the second-highest recipient in southern Europe after Italy. The majority of arrivals were by sea, according to data from the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the perilous journey many migrants undertake in search of safety and a better life, often facing treacherous conditions at sea.
Our thoughts are with the victims of this heartbreaking incident and their families, as well as with all those who continue to risk their lives in pursuit of hope and security.
(Source: Reuters)