22 die off coast of Greece after six days at sea in migrant rubber boat

[ad_1] Twenty-two migrants hoping to succeed in Europe from North Africa have died off the coast of Greece after six days at sea in a rubber boat, survivors informed the Greek coastguard Saturday.

The coastguard late Friday stated 26 folks, together with a lady and a minor, have been rescued by a European border company vessel off the island of Crete.

The coastguard later informed AFP that 21 Bangladeshis, 4 South Sudanese and a Chadian citizen had emerged from the ordeal alive.

Survivors stated the our bodies of those that had died have been thrown into the Mediterranean sea on the orders of one of many folks smugglers aboard the ship.

Two survivors have been taken to hospital in Heraklion on Crete, the coastguard stated.

Primarily based on survivor statements, the coastguard stated the boat had left Tobruk, a port metropolis in japanese Libya, on March 21, sure for Greece, the gateway for a lot of migrants hoping for asylum within the European Union.

"Through the journey, the passengers misplaced their bearings and remained at sea for six days with out meals or water," the coastguard said.

Watch extra Migrants in Tunisia face rising strain to depart 'voluntarily'

The our bodies of those that died "have been thrown into the ocean on the orders of one of many smugglers", it added.

The Greek authorities have arrested two South Sudanese males, aged 19 and 22, believed to be the smugglers.

They're now below investigation for "unlawful entry into the nation" and "negligent murder".

The vessel carrying the group was 53 nautical miles south of Ierapetra, a city on southern Crete.

'Intensify the work with associate international locations' A coastguard spokesman informed AFP that the craft had endured "unfavourable meteorological situations" throughout their odyssey.

That, coupled with a scarcity of meals and water, had "led to the deaths by means of exhaustion of twenty-two folks," the spokesman stated.

"The our bodies of those useless folks have been thrown into the ocean on the orders of the 2 traffickers, who've been arrested, in accordance with testimony by survivors," he added.

The variety of migrants who've died making an attempt to succeed in EU soil greater than doubled within the first two months of 2026, in contrast with final yr, the EU border company Frontex stated earlier this month.

"These tragedies spotlight as soon as extra the urgency to accentuate the work with associate international locations alongside the migratory routes and redouble efforts within the combat in opposition to migrant smugglers, who're those chargeable for these tragedies," an EU fee spokesperson stated on Saturday.

In line with information from the Worldwide Group for Migration, 559 folks died within the Mediterranean throughout January and February, in contrast with 287 for a similar interval final yr.

Watch extra 'Proud to talk up for them': New images venture exhibits younger migrants' experiences

In December, at the least 18 migrants have been discovered useless inside their boat, which was taking over water and had partially deflated, to the southwest of Crete.

Greek authorities discovered solely two survivors, stating {that a} additional 15 folks had drowned.

Their our bodies have been by no means recovered.

In a bid to stem the crossings, the European Parliament on Thursday endorsed a significant tightening of EU migration coverage and accepted the idea of "return hubs", designed to ship migrants to non-EU third international locations.