Dramatic scenes in Kalamata
Ticket for the accident cutter cost 5000 euros
06/16/2023, 9:55 p.m
Relatives of the migrants on the sunken fishing cutter search for their loved ones among the survivors. Witnesses report that a ticket cost 5,000 euros. Nine smugglers have since been arrested.
After the serious boat accident with presumably up to 500 dead, dramatic scenes took place in the Greek port of Kalamata. Since the sinking of the completely overcrowded fishing cutter on Wednesday, relatives had traveled from all over Europe to find out whether the brother, sister or nephew survived. Mostly without success: only 104 people could be rescued, 78 people were found dead, the others were torn down by the shipwreck. While the Greek authorities continued their search, it was assumed that activities would cease by Saturday at the latest.
According to survivors, the refugees had paid around 5,000 euros per person for the crossing. The Greek police had already arrested nine of the survivors on Thursday as suspected smugglers – the men with Egyptian citizenship are to be charged with human trafficking and negligent homicide. The authorities are also investigating the responsibility of the coast guard – according to their own statements, they had repeatedly offered help to the boat’s crew by radio, but this was refused. Many wonder why the officials didn’t take action anyway.
Doubts about the rescue attempt by the Greek coast guard
The agency’s spokesman said intervening in international waters would not be possible if the boat’s captain refused. In addition to the greatest suffering, there were also touching scenes in Kalamata on Friday: A Syrian who had traveled from the Netherlands found his brother among the survivors, as broadcaster Skai showed. The survivors were taken to a detention center. There they can apply for asylum. However, it is too late for the many people who were dragged down by the boat. Survivors reported that around 100 children were on board.
While politicians from all countries denounced the situation after such catastrophes until recently, this time it was surprisingly quiet. Those who spoke mostly pointed out that it was finally time to ensure that people didn’t set off in the first place. Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: “It’s depressing”, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser “We mustn’t become numb” and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was “deeply saddened”.
“Current concept for the Mediterranean does not work”
“The abyss of Europe lies in the words without pity or meaning that are uttered after a tragedy like that of Pylos (Peloponnese),” commented the Italian newspaper “La Stampa”. There is talk of migration flows, but the current tragedy does not even deserve a side note, even though it is one of the worst tragedies of all time. “For Europe, it’s like business as usual,” the newspaper summed up.
UN organizations have also criticized the EU. “It is clear that the current concept for the Mediterranean is not working,” said the director of the emergency department of the UN Organization for Migration (IOM). Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Gillian Triggs said the EU must put security and solidarity at the heart of what it does. In Greece, 8,000 people took to the streets on Thursday to protest against the EU’s migration policy, state television showed. “The EU kills people,” said the banners.
Only last week, the EU states agreed on comprehensive reforms in asylum policy. Among other things, asylum applications from migrants at the EU’s external borders are to be examined within twelve weeks. Meanwhile, people should remain in strictly controlled reception facilities. In Greece, left-wing parties have accused the conservative Greek government of the past four years of being partly responsible for the accident. Because the government has massively tightened controls in the Aegean Sea, the migrants are now using the much longer and more dangerous route around Greece directly to Italy.