According to information, these are Egyptians suspected of trafficking – The head of Frontex, Hans Leitens, was at the Port Authority of Kalamata in order to be informed about the investigations – Relatives of passengers are anxiously looking for their own people
The preliminary investigation at the port authority of Kalamata is ongoing, as so far 8 people have gone through the preliminary investigation process as suspects for the illegal transport of dozens of migrants in a fishing boat that sank off Pylos. According to information, these are Egyptians suspected of trafficking. A little while ago, the head of Frontex, Hans Leitens, was at the Port Authority of Kalamata in order to be informed about the investigations.
“I am here to better understand what happened and the role of Frontex. I am also here to express my solidarity and my help to the Greek colleagues who did their best to save lives” said Mr. Leitens. As he said his heart goes out to the victims and their families while he emphasized that as soon as he learned about the accident he changed his schedule to come to Kalamata. “It’s a horrible event,” he noted.
Relatives of passengers have been arriving at the port of Kalamata since the morning
Relatives of those on board are constantly arriving at the Port of Kalamata anxiously searching for their own people who were on the fishing ship that was wrecked off the coast of Pylos.
Kasim Abuzid arrived from Germany and together with a friend he was at the port of Kalamata at noon today looking for his wife and 6 other relatives of those on board. Crossing the road to the area where the rescued migrants live, he approached the crevices in case he could find one of his missing relatives, while he also showed a photo of his wife in case anyone had seen her. After speaking with Coast Guard officials, he was allowed to enter the area to search inside to see if he could find his wife. As he mentioned his wife was going to Italy, while in a communication he had with her she had told him that there were 20 other women on the fishing vessel, most of them in the holds.
Aftab lives in England and is from Pakistan and he says they have found a relative but they are still looking for 4 more people. “We want to know where the rest of the world is,” he said.
In the last few hours, the number of relatives is increasing and with it the anxiety about the fate of their loved ones. Others are accompanied by their friends and others alone, but following the same procedure. They stand at the railings that have been installed, talk to the authorities, who note down their details, letting some pass in case they recognize the person they are looking for.
At the same time in the mobile centers that have been set up throughout the day rescued migrants are constantly tested, while psychological support is provided to them by the volunteers and organizations that arrived at the port since yesterday.
The mobilization of the local authorities in Kalamata was immediate, as stated by the mayor of Kalamata, Thanasis Vassilopoulos.
“We mobilized the procedures, we all cooperated with the health structures of the region and not only that, the hospitals of Laconia and Arcadia were put on alert, ambulances came here from all over the Peloponnese, because we had the hope that we would be called upon to manage many rescued people. The dead are 78, including a woman, and this confirms that there were women in this group that were on the boat, as the refugees themselves said. It wasn’t just 182 people, it was definitely three times that number.” he pointed out to the Athens Agency the mayor of Kalamata.
Mr. Vassilopoulos emphasized to the help provided by the residents of Kalamata. “The mobility of the Kalamata community was also seen yesterday. Although we have municipal kitchens and we had prepared last night’s food, in the end we didn’t bring it because the local authorities brought here 160 portions supplied by catering for the people here to eat as well as the rescuers who stay here all day. And today organizations and citizens continue to bring water and clothes and food. New clothes, slippers, underwear, shoes, from businesses in our area have arrived since yesterday,” he noted.
The Hellenic Red Cross is starting the procedures to locate the missing migrants
Echelon of the Research & Restoring Family Links (RFL) Sector of the E.E.S. arrived today in Kalamata, in order to coordinate from the spot the actions for the search for the missing and the restoration of the family ties of those rescued from the tragic shipwreck, as emphasized by a statement from the Red Cross. Citizens looking for their relatives are requested to contact the Search & RFL Department of the E.E.S. at 210 5230 043 and 210 5140440 (teleinterpretation hotline for migrant populations) and via email at [email protected].
Source: Skai
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