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Paxos boat sinking: 13 of the 21 survivors leave hospital

immigrants
12 Ιανουαρίου 2020 / 12:42

PREVEZA. Latest news and images from the sunk boat off Paxos with 12 people drowned.

13 of the 21 survivors of Saturday's tragedy near Paxos have now left hospital. According to the Ambulance Service (EKAB) official statement, 21 people aged between 20 and 50 (20 men and 1 woman) were taken to Preveza General Hospital.



Of the remaining 8 survivors, 2 are said to be in serious condition. The survivors who were allowed to leave, in groups of 2 -3, were initially taken by jeep to Preveza Port Authority to give short statements and then taken to Zalongo, where Preveza Municipality has prepared accommodation for them with beds, heating and food.



The Coast Guards has confirmed that 12 bodies have been recovered from the sea. It is understood that the migrants spent several days on the boat but their identities and country of origin are as yet unknown.

Concern for those still missing

12 bodies have been recovered but there are still about another 20 people who have not yet been found - the exact number of people on board has not yet been confirmed. From what is known there were 50 men and 3 women - 2 of whom have died - with the majority relatively young in age.

What one of the survivors said

One of the survivors, who speaks Greek, is said to have explained that they were taken from Athens on Friday night by road to Arta and from the coast near Preveza they set off towards Italy on Saturday morning.

Following the tragic accident the survivors and bodies were immediately taken to Preveza but the identities and nationalities of the migrants is not yet known.



The Municipality of Preveza immediately gave the survivors food and clothing and prepared a hall in Kanali on Saturday to accommodate them.

Coast Guard vessels, four other vessels in the area, two Air Force helicopters and a Navy helicopter took part in the search and rescue operation.

The tragedy raises questions about the departure point of the migrants' boat and their destination, if any of the traffickers were on board and how long they were at sea.




The President of Preveza Municipal Council Mr. Karamanidis made the following statement to the media:

"Early in the morning we received a call from the Port Authority telling us about the incident and we immediately started to prepare accommodation. There are 21 survivors and 12 bodies from a total of 53 that were on the boat - so there are still 20 missing. We have prepared accommodation at Zolongo Town Hall with beds, heating and food. There was excellent cooperation between all those involved in the operation; the circumstances are extremely difficult and we have given our all to get the best possible result."


Source: Altsantiri.gr
(with additional information from epirus-tv.gr / prevezabest.blogspot.com / intimenews.gr)