Hellenic Coast Guard boat (archive image)
Photograph:
Michael Svarnias/ dpa
The Hellenic Coast Guard has rescued around 100 refugees. This was reported by the state broadcaster (ERT) on Sunday, citing the authority. According to this, a boat was in distress off the Greek island of Kythera. Not knowing where they were, the migrants on board sent a distress signal.
The coast guard was able to locate the boat and bring the people to the port of Neapolis on the Peloponnese peninsula to safety, it said. All people are doing well. The rescue operation took place on Saturday evening.
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On the often outdated boats of smuggling gangs, there is often machine damage or leaks that can lead to accidents. Last year, at least 326 people were killed in the region, according to UN figures. The Coast Guard assumes a higher number of unreported cases.
It was only at the end of May that a fatal incident occurred off the Greek island of Mykonos, when a speedboat apparently capsized. At least nine people died. In the fall, the Coast Guard rescued more than 400 people from aboard a rusty ship.
Despite the successful rescue operations, the authorities are massively criticized for suspected pushbacks. For example, recently surfaced footage documents how Greek authorities bring refugees from the shore back to the open sea and abandon them. Officially, Greece denies this practice.
sol/dpa