ATHENS: At least 79 migrants drowned and hundreds more were missing and feared dead after their overloaded boat capsized and sank in open seas off Greece, in one of Europe’s deadliest shipping disasters in recent years. The UN’s migration agency estimated up to 400 while Greece declined to speculate on the passenger count. Greek authorities did not confirm the vessel’s departure port. The Greek coast guard said EU border agency Frontex first spotted the boat on Tuesday in international waters southwest of Pylos, and Italian authorities then alerted Greece to the vessel’s presence. Alarm Phone said it informed Greek authorities, Frontex and the Greek division of the UN refugee agency UNHCR late on Tuesday afternoon.

Source: Libya Today June 15, 2023 16:00 UTC