On Monday, September 13th, a boat carrying migrants capsized near the Greek island of Paxos, prompting a rescue operation by the Greek coast guard. The boat was reportedly carrying around 37 people, including women and children, when it overturned in the Ionian Sea.
The cause of the capsizing is still unknown, but it is believed that the boat was attempting to make its way to Italy from Turkey. The passengers were mostly from Afghanistan and Syria, and many of them were seeking asylum in Europe.
The Greek coast guard responded quickly to the incident, and managed to rescue 32 people from the water. However, five people are still missing and are presumed to have drowned. The search for the missing individuals is ongoing.
This tragic incident highlights the dangers that migrants face when attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in search of a better life. Many of these individuals are fleeing war, persecution, and poverty in their home countries, and are willing to risk their lives in order to reach Europe.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), over 1,100 migrants have died or gone missing while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in 2021 alone. This is a stark reminder of the urgent need for safe and legal pathways for migrants and refugees.
The European Union has been criticized for its handling of the migrant crisis, with many arguing that it has failed to provide adequate support and resources to countries like Greece and Italy, which have been on the frontlines of the crisis. The EU has also faced criticism for its policy of externalizing migration control, which involves outsourcing border control to countries outside of Europe.
In response to this latest incident, the Greek government has called on the EU to do more to address the migrant crisis. In a statement, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said, “We need a common European policy on migration that will be based on solidarity and burden-sharing.”
The capsizing near Greece serves as a tragic reminder of the urgent need for a coordinated and compassionate response to the migrant crisis. It is imperative that the EU and its member states work together to provide safe and legal pathways for migrants and refugees, and to address the root causes of displacement and migration. Only then can we prevent further tragedies like this from occurring.
