ATHENS, Greece: In a swift and decisive response, a rescue operation swung into action on Wednesday morning to rescue dozens of migrants aboard a distressed yacht off the southwestern coast of Greece, as confirmed by local authorities.
The Greek coast guard reported that the yacht, believed to be carrying approximately 90 individuals, was spotted about 40 nautical miles (46 miles, 74 kilometers) west of Pylos, a small coastal town. Immediate action was essential to ensure the safety of those on board.
Remarkably, six individuals from the troubled yacht were swiftly rescued by another passing yacht in the vicinity and transported to Pylos. From there, one woman was further transferred to a hospital located in the southern city of Kalamata. Additionally, 25 more people were rescued by a passing tanker ship and were being taken to Kalamata. The remaining passengers were carefully transferred to yet another passing cargo ship, a well-coordinated effort led by the vigilant coast guard.
In the vicinity, a coast guard lifeboat was actively engaged, with another coast guard vessel en route to provide support. Fortunately, no reports surfaced regarding any missing passengers, marking a successful early stage in the operation.
The location of this incident is tragically near where a harrowing migrant shipwreck occurred in June, resulting in numerous fatalities and missing individuals. This prior incident led to allegations of inadequate response by Greek authorities in the rescue efforts for the passengers.
The ill-fated trawler, already overcrowded, set sail from Libya with an estimated 500-700 individuals on board. Tragically, only 104 people survived, while 82 bodies were recovered. The rest were lost at sea when the trawler capsized in one of the deepest sections of the Mediterranean.
Recently, 40 survivors from the previous tragedy filed a lawsuit in Greece against all parties they deemed responsible, contending that Greek authorities failed to act promptly in rescuing the passengers before the vessel capsized. Disputing the official account, many survivors claim that repeated offers of assistance by the coast guard were rejected, suggesting a botched attempt to tow the vessel to safety just before it capsized and sank.
Greece remains a critical location along the dangerous migration route used by smugglers to transport individuals fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia into the European Union. This perilous journey sees migrants utilizing various vessels, ranging from small dinghies to larger sailing boats and yachts, emphasizing the urgent need for proactive and coordinated rescue operations to prevent loss of life at sea.
