A retired Greek admiral has blamed the nation’s coast guard for the most recent migrant boat tragedy that killed 78 individuals with a whole bunch extra nonetheless lacking.
Speaking to the Greek Radio and Television Corporation ERT earlier Friday, Nikos Spanos mentioned that earlier than it sank, Greek authorities requested the overloaded vessel if it wanted assist regardless of receiving a misery sign.
“The Greek Coast Guard teams had to intervene anyway,” Spanos mentioned, criticizing authorities’ declare that the boat didn’t request assist and rejected gives for help.
“The boat was a floating cemetery, a very old boat with no documentation,” he mentioned. “We do not ask the people on the boat, which is in danger of sinking, if they need help,” mentioned Spanos.
He claimed search and rescue ships that have been near the world the place the incident occurred didn’t instantly take motion.
The migrant boat sank off southwestern Greece early Wednesday. While greater than 100 passengers have been rescued, almost 500 are lacking within the surrounding Mediterranean waters and 78 our bodies have been recovered, based on U.N. officers.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
