Some 500 people including many Pakistanis still remain missing after a fishing boat carrying hundreds of migrants capsized off the coast of Greece on June 14, according to UN agencies.
A joint statement issued by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said while the number of people on board the boat is not clear, it is believed to have been somewhere between 400 and 750.
So far 104 people have been rescued and 78 bodies retrieved, while hundreds remain missing, and feared dead in the latest tragedy in the Mediterranean deemed to be the worst in recent years, the UN agencies said.
The boat was reportedly in distress since the morning of June 13.
A large-scale search and rescue operation was announced by the Greek Hellenic Coast Guard on the morning of June 14, after the boat capsized.
The duty to rescue people in distress at sea without delay is a fundamental rule of international maritime law.
Both shipmasters and states have an obligation to render assistance to those in distress at sea regardless of their nationality, status or the circumstances in which they are found, including on unseaworthy vessels and irrespective of the intentions of those onboard, according to the agencies.
Pakistan mission on the move
A total of 12 Pakistanis were identified among the survivors of the capsized boat off the coast of Greece, but so far the number and identity of Pakistani nationals among the deceased was not yet verified.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, in a press statement on Saturday, said that the Pakistan Mission in Greece under the leadership of Ambassador Aamar Aftab remained in contact with the local authorities for identification and recovery of Pakistani nationals among the deceased and providing relief to the survivors.
“Our Mission also remains in contact with the Greek authorities in the identification process of the 78 recovered bodies. This identification process will take place through DNA-matching with close family members (parents and children only),” the spokesperson further said.
Families of likely passengers on board the ill-fated boat were requested to contact Pak Mission in Greece on the 24/7 helpline numbers for verification purposes.
They were also requested to share DNA reports from authenticated laboratories and the identity documents of the passenger at ‘info@pakistanembassy.gr’
The UN Human Rights officials said that up to 500 people were still missing from a migrant boat that sank off Greece.
A large number of women and children were among those missing in the “horrific tragedy” that left 78 people dead.
The fishing boat was carrying up to 750 people that went down 50 nautical miles off Pylos in southern Greece, according to international media.
Meanwhile, both the UNHCR and IOM have been on the ground in Kalamata, in southern Greece in close coordination with the authorities providing support and assistance to the survivors, including non-food items, hygiene kits, interpretation services and counselling for survivors who are traumatised following the ordeal.
"It is clear, that the current approach to the Mediterranean is unworkable. Year after year, it continues to be the most dangerous migration route in the world, with the highest fatality rate. States need to come together and address the gaps in proactive search and rescue, quick disembarkation, and safe regular pathways. These collective efforts should have the human rights of migrants and saving lives at the centre of any response" Federico Soda, IOM Director for the Department of Emergencies, was quoted as saying in the statement.
"The EU must put safety and solidarity at the heart of its action in the Mediterranean. In view of the increased movements of refugees and migrants in the Mediterranean, collective efforts, including greater coordination between all Mediterranean States, solidarity and responsibility-sharing, as reflected in the EU's Pact on Migration and Asylum are essential to save lives. This includes the establishment of an agreed regional disembarkation and redistribution mechanism for people who arrive by sea, which we continue to advocate for." said Gillian Triggs, the UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Protection.
Meanwhile, the Greek caretaker Prime Minister, Ioannis Sarmas, said that a "thorough investigation of the real facts and technical judgements" would take place to determine what had caused the boat to capsize.
Greece is one of the main routes into the European Union for refugees and migrants from the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
Last month, the Greek government came under international criticism over video reportedly showed the forceful expulsion of migrants who were set adrift at sea.
Greek MP expelled from Mitsotakis' party over shipwreck comments
A right-wing Greek parliamentarian was expelled from the party of former prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, seeking a second term at polls next weekend, for racist remarks after the mass drowning of migrants.
The Greek coastguard was continuing its search for survivors of the sinking of a boat carrying migrants that killed at least 78 people overnight Tuesday.
Hopes of finding survivors are fading "by the minute," according to officials.
The coastguard has so far rescued 104 people from the boat which rescuers said was carrying "hundreds" of migrants.
While condemning the "tragic" loss of life, including "children", Spilios Kriketos, a lawmaker in Mitsotakis' New Democracy (ND) party, said Thursday that Greece "cannot tolerate more migrants", in an interview on the Kontra YouTube channel.
He then accused migrants of stealing.
On Friday, ND said it had expelled him.
"Opinions such as those expressed by Spilios Kriketos have no place in our party," the party said in a statement.
"Statements of hate and racism are not part of the party's values."
Kriketos is running in the June 25 legislative elections which follow Mitsotakis's first place finish in May's polls which nonetheless left him without a clear parliamentary majority.
The main leftist opposition party Syriza on Friday called the remarks "racist" and called on the ND to expel Kriketos.
The former conservative government of Mitsotakis, in power for four years from 2019 to 2023 and credited with winning the May 25 elections, has followed a strict immigration policy and emphasised "security" and border lockdowns.
Greek media and NGOs have repeatedly accused Greece of carrying out "illegal" expulsions of migrants in the Aegean Sea, a charge rejected by the previous government.
"New Democracy implemented a strict but fair immigration policy, keeping the borders but protecting human life and saving thousands of people who were in danger at sea," the party said.