Mayor of Kythira to SKAI for a shipwreck: Five people died in front of me – The waves hit them like octopuses

Speaking to SKAI, the mayor of Kythera Str. Charchalakis.

As the mayor characteristically said “what can I tell you, five people died in front of me”.

He went on to describe that the vessel sent an SOS via 112 last night at around 8, while there were bad weather conditions in the area.

He added that the unfortunate migrants were swept away by the waves and their boat hit and broke up on vertical rocks, which are 15-20 meters high.

“The sea was beating them like octopuses” he said shocked. “The wave took them and they disappeared within five seconds,” he said characteristically.

In the wreck at Diakofti Kytheraso far 80 migrants have been rescued after a sailboat hit a rocky sea area.

According to their statement, 95 people were on board the boat, which then sank.

The Coast Guard’s search for missing persons continues under adverse conditions, with 7 to 8 Beaufort winds blowing.

At the scene are a floating ship, a Navy helicopter, officials of the relevant Port Authority, police and fire brigade officials as well as volunteer rescuers.

An open sea ship of the port corps, a Special Missions Echelon of the Coast Guard and a team of the Underwater Missions Unit are moving there.

A resident described seeing the boat crash on the rocks and people climbing onto them to save themselves.

“It was an incredible sight,” said Martha Stathakis. “All the residents here came down to the harbor to try and help.”

Rescuers lowered ropes onto the beach to help survivors climb the rocks to safety.

Local authorities opened a school to offer shelter to the rescued.

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