A search and rescue operation involving a total of seventy-six (76) foreigners aboard a sailing vessel was carried out yesterday, under the coordination of the Unified Center for Coordination of Search and Rescue (E.K.S.E.D.) L.S.-EL.AKT. , in the sea area southeast of Astypalaia.

The Coast Guard was informed yesterday at noon by the European emergency call number “112”, about the existence of a vessel in a difficult position, and three passing vessels were immediately detained in the area, while a Patrol vessel L.S. – EL. AKT. and a patrol vessel L.S. – EL. AKT.

The sailboat in question was found unruly in the sea area of ​​5.6 nautical miles. south of Astypalea and its seventy-six (76) occupants (42 men, 9 women, 23 boys and 2 girls) were rounded up by the Patrol boat and safely transported to the port of Kos and then to the KYT of Kos.

The Kalymnos Port Authority, which is conducting the preliminary investigation, in collaboration with the Maritime Border Security and Protection Directorate, arrested 2 foreigners, aged 42 and 32, for violating article 83 of Law 3386/05 (illegal entry into the country) and article 30 of Law 4251/2014 (illegal trafficking of foreigners) as applicable as well as article 306 of the Criminal Code. (Exposure of life at risk).

The Maritime Border Security and Protection Directorate, in collaboration with the Kalymnos Port Authority, analyzes and processes in depth all the evidence that has emerged and investigates the possible participation of those arrested in other cases, as well as their collaboration with members of organized circles with the same or similar criminal activities.