7 killed after boat capsizes off Greek island of Lesvos

ANI
11 Jun 2019, 23:07 GMT+10

Athens [Greece], Jun 11 (ANI): At least seven people were killed after a boat carrying dozens of refugees capsized in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Greek island of Lesvos on Tuesday.

The remaining 57 people on the boat were rescued in a joint search operation carried out by Hellenic Coast Guard, European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), as well Greek Air Force, reports Xinhua.

The refugees had set off from the Turkish shore in a plastic dinghy at about 2 am (local time). The overladen boat capsized shortly before reaching the island of Lesvos, even though the weather at that time was calm.

Of the seven people who drowned, three were children of African origin, local officials said.

Since 2015, hundreds of refugees from Turkey and Syria have lost their lives after undertaking treacherous sea journeys on overcrowded boats in a bid to escape the turmoil of their own countries.

Greece has become one of the main gateways for refugees entering Europe in recent years. According to a 2018 report by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), more than 1 million refugees and migrants arrived in Greece, before the country closed its Balkan border in March 2016. (ANI)

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Greek Herald.

More Information

null in null

International Business

Section

PwC: Copper shortages may disrupt 32 percent of chip output by 2035

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands: Some 32 percent of global semiconductor production could face climate change-related copper supply disruptions...

Ireland’s PM ‘hopeful’ of EU-US tariff deal before July 9 deadline

DUBLIN, Ireland: Taoiseach Micheál Martin has expressed cautious optimism that the European Union and the United States can strike...

FedEx, UPS step up as Canada Post loses market share in strikes

OTTAWA, Canada: With Canada Post struggling to maintain operations amid labour unrest, rivals like FedEx and UPS are stepping in to...

Beijing blamed for covert disinformation on French fighter jet Rafale

PARIS, France: French military and intelligence officials have accused China of orchestrating a covert campaign to damage the reputation...

Beijing hits back at EU with medical device import curbs

HONG KONG: China has fired back at the European Union in an escalating trade dispute by imposing new restrictions on medical device...

Summer travel in chaos as French air traffic controllers walk off job

PARIS, France: A strike by French air traffic controllers demanding improved working conditions caused significant disruptions during...

Mediterranean

Section