boat transporting Iraqi Kurds to Europe sunk off the island of Samos on Wednesday night, resulting in the death of 24 people, with 11 others missing.
A representative of Athens-based International Organisation for Migration, Kelly Namia confirmed the vessel was carrying 65 people at the time of its sinking, exceeding its maximum capacity by 35 passengers.
All those on board are said to have been Iraqi Kurds, while the smugglers are believed to have been Afghans, one whom drowned and is get to be located.
The search for survivors continued on Thursday, the effort led by the Greek Coast Guard with the use of boats and a helicopter.
That wasn’t the only tragedy this week regarding refugees however.
Another boat carrying refugees also sank in the region, off the island of Kos resulting in the death of seven people, including two young children.
While On Thursday, 290 migrants were rescued and six bodies recovered by the Italian Navy, following the discovery of a rubber boat sinking after setting off for Italy from Libya.
The incidents are a strong reminder that the movement of refugees continues through Europe despite less than ideal weather conditions.
Meanwhile the European Union continues to be critical of Greece’s handling and approach to the migration crisis, with threats to expel the country from the Schengen passport-free travel zone.
