Shipwreck in Rhodes: The search and rescue operation for the missing is in progress – Watch video

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The Deputy Minister of National Defense Nikos Hardalias, accompanied by the Chief of General Staff of National Defense General Konstantinos Floros, visited the National Operations Center of the General Staff of National Defense (GEETHA/ETHKEPICH), where he was informed about the development of the broad operation.

The search and rescue operation for the missing migrants is in full progress, which has been taking place since the early hours of the morning in the sea area south of Rhodes. In the morning, the rescue forces managed to save 29 people, but since then no other shipwreck has been found. The initial information stated that there were about 80 people on board, however according to the latest information, there were about 60 in the boat.

The Deputy Minister of National Defence Nikos Hardaliasaccompanied by the Chief GEETHA General Konstantinos Floros, visited, today Wednesday, the National Operations Center of the General Staff of National Defense (GEETHA/ETHKEPICH), where he was informed about the development of the broad operation.

In the rescue operation, the Armed Forces participate with the Tanker IKARIA which immediately went to the area and has assumed the duties of “On Scene Commander” (OSC), with the Fast Guided Missile Patrol ROUSSEN, with three Helicopters (1 S-70, 1 Super Puma and 1 AB – 205) and 1 HERON UAV, while the Frigate ADRIAS has been called and is approaching the area.

The Deputy Minister of National Defence, in the presence of both the Chief of the Naval Air Station and the Deputy Chief of the Naval Air Station Vice-Admiral Ioannis Drymousis PN, congratulated the staff of the Center for the effective management and coordination of this incident as well and thanked them for the overall work that they carry out with dedication and zeal every day for the security of the country and citizens.

They have rushed to the place where the investigation is being conducted two officers of the Turkish Coast Guard. Sources tell SKAI that the Greek authorities have full control and jurisdiction over the incident as a single search and rescue coordination center and none of the ships in the area are listening to any instructions that may be given by the Turkish vessels.

Speaking in the morning on SKAI 100.3 radio, Mr Coast Guard press representative Nikos Kokkalas he said that most of the rescued are Afghans while among them there are Iraqis and Iranians and all of them are men. He even mentioned that many of them were not wearing life jackets. According to their statement, they started their journey from Antalya, Turkey and were destined for Italy.

Hardalias

“The officers of the Coast Guard, with the assistance of the Navy, the Air Force, and commercial ships sailing in the area, are continuing the major search and rescue effort, which began in the early hours of the morning, 38 nautical miles south of Rhodes after the sinking of the boat that had started from Turkey. 29 of our people have already been picked up and the search continues with unabated intensity. The protection of human life is our daily concern and absolute priority. In the last two years, 145 search and rescue operations have saved over 6000 people. As always, so today, Greece is saving lives in the Aegean” said the Minister of Shipping Yannis Plakiotakis.

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