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Three separate shipwrecks leave dozens dead and many more missing – Global Issues

According to the United Nations agency, between December 21 and 24, more than 160 people were escorted by Greece’s Hellenic coast guard – with the support of naval and air forces, as well as merchant ships. and private.

Commemorating those efforts, Maria-Clara Martin, UNHCRrepresentative of Greece, said “It is heartbreaking that, out of despair and no safe passage, refugees and migrants feel compelled to entrust their lives to ruthless smugglers.“.

“More decisive action is needed to rein in smugglers and stop those who take advantage of human misery and despair. It is disappointing to see preventable tragedies like these repeated over and over again. We shouldn’t be used to seeing bodies being pulled from the sea,” she added.

Series of accidents

The first shipwreck took place off the island of Folegandros on December 21, with 13 people rescued and three male bodies recovered.

One survivor told the Hellenic Coast Guard that up to 50 people could have been on the boat carrying them without any safety equipment.

The second shipwreck, north of the island of Antikythera, left 11 people dead, while 88 were rescued.

And on Christmas Eve, a boat carrying at least 80 passengers capsized off the island of Paros, killing 17 people, including a baby.

The 66 survivors were rescued and taken to Paros, where local authorities and islanders rushed to assist them with blankets, food and clothing.

UNHCR estimate that From January to the end of November this year, more than 2,500 people died or went missing at sea trying to reach Europe, through the Mediterranean and the Northwest African maritime route.

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