Greece: Boat with tons of of migrants safely towed to port

ATHENS, Greece — A dilapidated fishing boat full of tons of of migrants that misplaced its steering and had been drifting within the wind-lashed Mediterranean Sea south of the Greek island of Crete was efficiently towed to port Tuesday, Greek authorities stated.

Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi stated there have been roughly 400 folks on the vessel, down from his earlier estimate of 500. He stated it was not instantly clear the place it had sailed from.

In a letter later Tuesday to the European Fee, Mitarachi requested that the migrants be relocated to different European Union nations in solidarity with Greece.

“We ask the Fee to right away undertake and coordinate a relocation initiative in response to this (rescue) operation, guaranteeing the accountability in saving lives at sea is pretty shared amongst” EU members, he wrote.

Within the letter, which was made public by the Migration Ministry, Mitarachi additionally stated EU international locations akin to Greece, the place many migrants first arrive earlier than continuing to wealthier members of the bloc, “can’t be anticipated to shoulder an ever-increasing burden out of proportion to their respective capacities.”

“Europe should show that it is able to present speedy and tangible solidarity,” by shifting new arrivals to different EU international locations quicker and in larger numbers than it has carried out to this point, he stated.

Greece will present speedy reduction for the passengers rescued Tuesday, Mitarachi stated.

The coast guard launched the foremost rescue operation in a single day after receiving a misery name from what Mitarachi in his letter described as a 30-meter (98-foot) fishing vessel. A Greek navy frigate, a tanker, two cargo ships and two Italian fishing vessels participated however had been unable to switch passengers from the vessel as a result of dangerous climate.

Transport Minister Giannis Plakiotakis, who’s accountable for the coast guard, described the rescue effort as the biggest within the Mediterranean in recent times. He congratulated the coast guard for efficiently finishing up the operation regardless of powerful climate circumstances.

The fishing boat was towed to the port of Palaiochora in southeastern Crete. There have been no speedy studies of any accidents or lacking folks.

Tens of 1000’s of individuals fleeing battle and poverty within the Center East, Asia and Africa attempt to make their method into the European Union every year through perilous sea journeys.

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