At least 17 Migrants Found Dead in Deflated Boat Off Greek Island of Crete
The bodies of 17 migrants and asylum seekers have been discovered in a partially deflated boat off the Greek island of Crete, Greece's coastguard has confirmed. The victims were found on Saturday, about 26 nautical miles southwest of Crete.
According to officials, two survivors are in critical condition and have been hospitalized. Autopsies will be conducted as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the sinking of the boat.
The Greek coastguard said that all 17 victims were men. They had spotted the boat earlier by a Turkish cargo ship, which alerted authorities, who then rushed to the scene.
The rescue effort was aided by the European Union's border agency Frontex, which sent a boat, an aircraft, and a Super Puma helicopter to help in the rescue operation.
In July, Greece's conservative government had suspended asylum hearings for migrants, particularly targeting those arriving on Crete from Libya.
According to the United Nations refugee agency, over 16,770 people seeking asylum in the EU have arrived since the start of the year.
The bodies of 17 migrants and asylum seekers have been discovered in a partially deflated boat off the Greek island of Crete, Greece's coastguard has confirmed. The victims were found on Saturday, about 26 nautical miles southwest of Crete.
According to officials, two survivors are in critical condition and have been hospitalized. Autopsies will be conducted as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the sinking of the boat.
The Greek coastguard said that all 17 victims were men. They had spotted the boat earlier by a Turkish cargo ship, which alerted authorities, who then rushed to the scene.
The rescue effort was aided by the European Union's border agency Frontex, which sent a boat, an aircraft, and a Super Puma helicopter to help in the rescue operation.
In July, Greece's conservative government had suspended asylum hearings for migrants, particularly targeting those arriving on Crete from Libya.
According to the United Nations refugee agency, over 16,770 people seeking asylum in the EU have arrived since the start of the year.