Coast guard, navy and merchant vessels and aircraft fanned out for a vast search-and-rescue operation set to continue overnight. An aerial photograph of the battered blue vessel released by the Greek coast guard showed scores of people covering practically every inch of deck. Coast guard spokesman Nikos Alexiou told state ERT TV that it was impossible to accurately estimate the number of passengers. The Greek coast guard said 79 bodies have been recovered so far. A second merchant ship later offered more supplies and assistance, which were turned down, the agency added.

Source: Libya Today June 14, 2023 12:03 UTC