The chronicle of the tragedy off Pylos: The fishing boat that sank suddenly was refused help – 59 dead – Fears for hundreds of missing

In one of the most many shipwrecks with migrants in the Mediterranean evolves the wreck of the fishing boat off Pylosin international waters: Idi 59 dead have been recoveredwhile fears are being expressed that the number could go much higher: 106 people have been rescuedwhile the most conservative estimates for the number of people on board the slave ship they speak of 400– some information states that the passengers may have even exceeded 500. Other testimonies, in fact, increase the number of passengers even more – they speak of up to 700 people.

The fishing vessel had started from Tobruk, Libya and was spotted yesterday at noon by FRONTEX and by passing vessels, without asking for help. The Coast Guard who arrived at the vessel in a patrol boat, but also a helicopter through the Operations Room repeatedly asked if the vessel needed assistance, with the answer being no. Yesterday afternoon cargo ship approached the fishing vessel and provided food and other supplies, but refused to receive any further assistance, saying they were sailing for Italy. On a second ship that approached on Tuesday afternoon, the passengers refused even the supplies, in addition to assistance.

On Tuesday night a Coast Guard vessel confirmed that the boat was carrying a very large number of migrantsand despite the refusal to receive helpthe Coast Guard vessel remained close to the fishing vessel which continued its course, until early today the fishing vessel capsized and then sank, dragging to the bottom an unknown number of its passengers,

From that moment on it started broad search and rescue operation with the participation of the Coastal Patrol vessel L.S.-EL.AKT. and three (03) passing ships, while a C-130 plane of the Air Force rushed to the area, as well as three (03) passing ships. Additionally, a Patrol Boat LS-EL.AKT., a Salvage Boat LS-EL.AKT., one (01) Frigate of the Navy are operating in the area of ​​the investigations, while a SUPER PUMA helicopter of Air Force.

The 106 rescued have been taken by boat to Kalamata where a business had been set up to transport those in need to hospitals and to accommodate the others. So far 29 people have been hospitalized. They have been put on alert except the hospital of Kalamata and Kypasissia in Messinia and the hospitals of Sparta and Tripoli. It is noted that none of the rescued was wearing a life jacket.

Four people they were transported by super puma helicopter to the Kalamata hospital.

In Kalamata the President of the Republic also passes by, Katerina Sakellaropoulouwhich called the shipwreck a tragedy.

The forces of EKAV

According to information, since the morning of Health Operations Center of EKAV (KEPY-EKAB) has put the EKAV forces of the Peloponnese region on full alert.

2 vehicles of the Special Disaster Medical Department of EKAV have already moved from Athens (ETIK-EKAB) with doctors and rescuers to assist in the task of sorting and transporting the rescued.

In the Port of Kalamata have been developed 10 ambulances with rescuers and EKAV doctorswhile 4 rescued with hypothermia have already been taken to the General Hospital of Kalamata.

Following an order from the Ministry of Health, Mr President of EKAV Nikos Papaefstathiourushes to Kalamata in order to coordinate the operation of providing health care to the rescued migrants from the Pylos shipwreck.

The Commander of the 6th Ministry of Defense also made an emergency visit to Kalamata Yannis Karvelis which coordinates the large operation that has been set up after the shipwreck that occurred off Pylos.

In the area of ​​the shipwreck, six parasailing vessels, a Coast Guard vessel and a C-130 aircraft are operating.

A boat and lifeguard of the coast guard, a frigate of the Navy and a helicopter of the Air Force are expected.

The announcement of the Coast Guard

“A large-scale alien search and rescue operation is underway, in international waters in the sea area 47 n.m. southwest of Pylos, under the coordination of the Unified Search and Rescue Coordination Center LS-EL.AKT..

In particular, the EKSED was informed by the RCC ROME about a fishing vessel in the above area, on which a large number of foreigners were on board, according to information received by the corresponding Chamber of Commerce of Italy. Passing vessels were immediately engaged to locate the A/K vessel.

Initially, the fishing vessel was spotted at midday yesterday by a FRONTEX aerial vehicle and then by two vessels sailing by, sailing north without requesting assistance. Then the Coastal Patrol boat LS-EL.AKT sailed for the spot. (P.P.L.S.), while a L.S.-EL.AKT helicopter also took off. The helicopter L.S.-EL.AKT. spotted the A/K moving at speed heading north.

In consecutive telephone calls of the Chamber of Operations to the fishing vessel to provide assistance, he received a negative response.

Afternoon hours F/G ship he approached the vessel and supplied it with provisionswhile the foreigners refused to provide any further assistance.

Then second F/G ship approached the vessel for supplies and assistance but the aliens refused both supplies and assistance.

In the evening, the P.P.L.S. arrived. confirming the existence of a large number of immigrants on the outer deck of the A/K vessel, but refusing any assistance and declaring their desire to continue their voyage to Italy. The P.P.L.S. he remained close to the ship for possible assistance, which continued its course.

Early morning hours today the above fishing boat overturned and eventually sank and a broad search and rescue operation was immediately launched with the participation of the Coastal Patrol vessel L.S.-EL.AKT. and three (03) passing ships, while a C-130 plane of the Air Force rushed to the area, as well as three (03) passing ships. In addition, a Patrol Vessel LS-EL.AKT., a Lifeguard Vessel LS-EL.AKT., one (01) Frigate of the Navy are operating in the area of ​​the investigations, while a SUPER PUMA helicopter of Air Force.”