In a remarkable display of swift response, Greece's coast guard successfully rescued 68 individuals in the eastern Aegean Sea after their sailboat issued a distress signal near the coast of the island of Leros. The sailboat, suspected to have departed from Turkey with migrants aiming to reach Greece, made the distress call in the early hours of Monday. Fortunately, a passing merchant ship intercepted the boat's occupants before transferring them to a coast guard vessel.
Prompt and efficient coordination ensured the safe transport of all passengers to Leros, with no reports of injuries or missing individuals. The authorities have yet to release information regarding the nationalities of those on board.
This recent sailboat rescue comes in the wake of a devastating incident where an overcrowded fishing trawler, transporting migrants from Libya to Italy, tragically capsized off the western coast of Greece. The trawler, estimated to have carried between 700 and 750 people, sank in international waters last Wednesday, sparking fears of a significant loss of life.
To date, 104 individuals have been rescued from the wreckage, while 78 bodies have been recovered. Despite ongoing search and rescue efforts, the chances of finding additional survivors remain incredibly slim.
These successive maritime incidents highlight the perilous journeys undertaken by migrants seeking refuge or better lives. Greece's coast guard, along with international authorities, continues to demonstrate its commitment to preserving human lives and preventing further tragedies at sea.