Searches continue today in international waters, 47 nautical miles southwest of Pylos, to locate any missing persons, after the sinking of the fishing boat carrying irregular migrants from Tobruk, Libya, which resulted in the loss of 78 lives and 104 to be rescued.

A frigate of the navy, three ships sailing by and a helicopter of the port are taking part in the investigations.

At the Reception and Identification Center of Malakasa, 71 people who were rescued from the wreck have been taken, while 21 people, along with one more who is believed to be a trafficker and is being guarded, are being treated at the Kalamata hospital. The remaining 8 defendants who have been arrested as the traffickers of immigrants remain at the Kalamata Police Department.

All the defendants will be brought to the prosecutor’s office on Monday morning, with the charges of forming a criminal organization related to the illegal trafficking of irregular immigrants, causing a shipwreck through negligence and endangering life.

In the meantime, the Disaster Victim Identification Team will be based in the “Keranis” building of the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum (196-198 Thivon Avenue, Agios Ioannis Renti-Nikaias Attica, PO Box 18233) in order to provide further assistance in the effort to identify the victims of the shipwreck in international waters, 47 n.m. off Pylos. At the same time, a call center will operate for this purpose.

The telephone and email contact with the Greek DVI Team will be 2131386000 and [email protected], respectively. The above will work from today Saturday 17th June 2023 during 09.00 to 19.00 (UTC+3) on daily basis and will support the following languages: English, Arabic, Pashto and Urdu.