Maritime tragedy in Crete: migrant vessel capsizing leaves multiple victims

A wooden boat capsized in the waters of Crete during the early hours of a Saturday morning, resulting in one of the most recent humanitarian tragedies in the Mediterranean. The tragedy in Crete has claimed at least five lives, while more than twenty people remain missing at sea.

Extreme Weather Conditions Trigger the Shipwreck

According to reports from RTHK, the incident occurred when adverse weather conditions battered the region. Winds of strength 6 and waves reaching 2.5 meters high created a catastrophic environment for the small vessel. Witnesses indicated that approximately 50 people were onboard at the time of the incident, many of them migrants seeking to reach safer destinations.

Rescue Maneuver Worsens the Tragedy in Crete

As rescue vessels approached the disaster area, passengers moved to one side of the boat in search of help. This coordinated movement, although understandable given the desperation of the situation, was catastrophic: the uneven distribution of weight caused the vessel to lose stability and capsize completely.

A cargo ship flying the Panamanian flag managed to rescue twenty survivors from the waters, offering a glimmer of hope amid the tragedy. However, many others were left in the water and could not be reached immediately.

Search and Rescue Operations Expanding

The Greek Coast Guard and vessels from the European Maritime Safety Agency quickly mobilized to the site of the shipwreck. Rescue teams found several bodies near Crete, confirming initial fears about the scale of the tragedy.

Authorities continue search operations in the area. Officials expressed concern that the death toll may continue to rise as underwater exploration and victim recovery efforts proceed in this region of the eastern Mediterranean.