A tragic incident near the Greek island of Samos has claimed the lives of at least eight migrants, including six children, after their boat sank in the Aegean Sea.
The Greek coastguard said they recovered the bodies during a rescue operation involving planes and ships. About 40 people were saved, but strong winds made the search efforts very difficult.
BBC reported that the boat was believed to have carried around 50 people, and authorities were alerted by a non-governmental organization.
Greece’s migration minister, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, expressed sadness and anger over the tragedy, promising stricter action against smugglers who endanger lives.
Samos, located near Turkey, is a common route for migrants trying to reach Europe. BBC shared that over 50,000 migrants have arrived in Greece by boat this year, making it one of the busiest routes to Europe, second only to Italy.
According to the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR), more than 160,000 migrants have crossed into Europe by sea in 2024, and sadly, 2,000 people have died or gone missing.
BBC also highlighted that nearly a quarter of those who arrived were children, underlining the immense risks families face in search of safety.
Migrant arrivals had been declining since August 2023 but started increasing again this summer, BBC noted.
This tragedy highlights the ongoing dangers migrants face and the urgent need for solutions to prevent such losses.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c80l4xg8rggo