Overcrowded Vessel Sank Off Greece, Fearing Hundreds Dead as Authorities Arrest Smugglers

A devastating tragedy unfolded off the coast of Greece on Wednesday, as an overcrowded fishing boat capsized and sank, claiming at least 78 lives and leaving fears that the death toll could rise into the hundreds. Survivors have reported that women and children were in the hold of the vessel, with some estimates suggesting that as many as 100 children were aboard.

The boat was believed to have been transporting migrants from Egypt to Italy when disaster struck off the southern Peloponnese. According to survivors, many women and children were trapped below deck as the ship went down. Though the exact number of children onboard has not been independently verified, survivors who spoke to Greek media confirmed the presence of young passengers in the vessel’s hold.

“We are working on the assumption that as many as 500 are missing,” said police inspector Nicolaos Spanoudakis. “Women and children, it seems, were in the hold,” he added, expressing the tragic uncertainty surrounding the disaster. The ship was overcrowded with hundreds of people, many of whom are still feared to be missing.

As of Thursday night, Greek authorities arrested nine men, all of Egyptian descent, suspected of being involved in the smuggling operation that led to the ill-fated journey. They are believed to have orchestrated the illegal voyage from Egypt to Italy and will face charges, including mass murder. The captain of the vessel is reported to have died in the incident.

The survivors, who total 104 men between the ages of 16 and 40, are said to be in a state of deep psychological trauma. Most of them are from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, and Egypt. Many survivors spent the night in a warehouse in Kalamata, where local officials said they were showing signs of exhaustion, shock, and fainting from the ordeal. About 30 people were treated for pneumonia and exhaustion but were not in immediate danger.

Erasmia Roumana of the United Nations refugee agency called the disaster “really horrific,” noting the mental toll on the survivors who are still grappling with the loss of family and friends.

The Mediterranean continues to be a perilous route for migrants seeking refuge, and this tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers many face in pursuit of safety. Local authorities and humanitarian groups are working tirelessly to provide aid to the survivors and investigate the circumstances surrounding the shipwreck.