12 dead so far following the sinking of boat with immigrants off Paxos
Coast Guard
11 Jan 2020
/ 10:53
ATHENS. Official statement from the Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard has confirmed that there are 12 dead so far following the sinking of the boat carrying immigrants off the coast of Paxos earlier this morning.
Official statement:
"The Hellenic Coast Guard has been conducting a wide-ranging search and rescue operation for the foreign nationals since this morning and up to now 21 have been saved and 12 bodies have been recovered.
The Search & Rescue Coordination Centre received a report early this morning of a boat carrying foreign nationals in trouble 13 nautical miles southwest of Paxos. Six Coast Guard vessels from Corfu, Igoumenitsa, Preveza, Lefkada, Paxos and Sivoto set off along with four other vessels in the area, two Air Force helicopters and one Navy helicopter.
Up to now, 21 foreign nationals have been rescued, 3 of whom are being taken by helicopter to Aktion for medical treatment, and 12 unidentified bodies have been recovered.
The Minister for Mercantile Marine and Island Policy Yiannis Plakiotakis was immediately informed and has ordered that every possible resource in the area be utilised.
The operation is continuing and any further news will be announced in press releases."
Official statement:
"The Hellenic Coast Guard has been conducting a wide-ranging search and rescue operation for the foreign nationals since this morning and up to now 21 have been saved and 12 bodies have been recovered.
The Search & Rescue Coordination Centre received a report early this morning of a boat carrying foreign nationals in trouble 13 nautical miles southwest of Paxos. Six Coast Guard vessels from Corfu, Igoumenitsa, Preveza, Lefkada, Paxos and Sivoto set off along with four other vessels in the area, two Air Force helicopters and one Navy helicopter.
Up to now, 21 foreign nationals have been rescued, 3 of whom are being taken by helicopter to Aktion for medical treatment, and 12 unidentified bodies have been recovered.
The Minister for Mercantile Marine and Island Policy Yiannis Plakiotakis was immediately informed and has ordered that every possible resource in the area be utilised.
The operation is continuing and any further news will be announced in press releases."
