108 irregular migrants rescued, 4 missing as boat sinks off Greek coast

ATHENS (AA) – Four irregular migrants went missing while 108 were rescued after a sailing boat drifted away off the Greek coast in the Aegean Sea on Sunday.

Early morning, the boat was sailing southwest of Delos Island in the Aegean Sea when it began taking water in and drifted away due to strong winds.

The sailing boat was initially moored by the tug boat, but due to unfavorable weather conditions and that it was flooded, it was decided to be towed to the islet of Agios Georgios, west of Mykonos harbor.

According to authorities, 21 children, 24 women, and 63 men were rescued from the drifting boat, with none of the migrants wearing a life jacket.

A search and rescue operation is currently underway to locate the rest of the missing irregular migrants.

People struck by conflict, poverty and climate change effects in North Africa and the Middle East seek better prospects in Europe through irregular immigration channels which are fraught with danger and uncertainty. Many lose their lives before reaching the shores.

At least 1,146 people died attempting to reach Europe by sea in the first six months of 2021 according to a new briefing released today by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Deaths along these routes more than doubled so far this year compared to the same period in 2020, when 513 migrants are known to have drowned.

“The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reiterates the call on States to take urgent and proactive steps to reduce loss of life on maritime migration routes to Europe and uphold their obligations under international law,” says IOM Director General António Vitorino.

“Increasing search-and-rescue (SAR) efforts, establishing predictable disembarkation mechanisms and ensuring access to safe and legal migration pathways are key steps towards achieving this goal.”