Greek authorities have said dozens of refugees are believed dead after a boat carrying as many as 50 people, according to one witness, sank off the island of Folegandros, in the second major loss of life in the Mediterranean within days. Almost 24 hours after the rescue operation was launched late on Tuesday, coastguard officials said it was unlikely survivors would be found. Attempted crossings from the anarchic oil-rich country have surged in recent months amid an unprecedented crackdown on refugees in Tripoli, its capital. A growing number of migrant boats are also heading to Italy, via Greek territorial waters from Turkey, with almost 12,000 sailings recorded this year. One survivor told the Greek coastguard that the boat had begun taking in water after running into engine trouble and that as many as 50 people could have been onboard.

Source: The Guardian December 23, 2021 01:38 UTC