Athens [Greece], March 30: At least 22 migrants died off the coast of Greece after six days at sea in a rubber boat, rekindling attention on the risks people take to cross to Europe despite tighter restrictions.
Citing survivors' accounts and a statement from the coastguard, 22 people died and their bodies were thrown into the sea. Two survivors were taken to hospital in Heraklion on Crete, the coastguard said.
Based on survivor statements, the coastguard said the boat left Tobruk, a port city in eastern Libya, on March 21 bound for Greece, the gateway for many migrants chasing asylum in the European Union.
"During the journey, the passengers lost their bearings and remained at sea for six days without food or water," the coastguard said.
The bodies of those who died "were thrown into the sea on the orders of one of the smugglers", it added. Meanwhile, the Greek coastguard said 26 people were rescued by a Frontex European Union Agency vessel off the island of Crete.
Source: Qatar Tribune
