Hundreds feared dead in refugee boat disaster in Greece

Kathmandu: Rescue ships fanned out on Thursday in search of hundreds of refugees and migrants feared dead after their overcrowded fishing boat capsized and sank as they tried to reach Europe.

At least 79 people are confirmed to have died in the disaster. Rescuers saved 104 passengers from the boat that sank in deep waters off Greece’s coast early on Wednesday while trying to travel from Libya to Italy.

Authorities fear that hundreds of others – including women and children – may have been trapped below deck.

If confirmed, that would make the tragedy one of the worst ever recorded in the central Mediterranean.

‘The chances of finding [more survivors] are minimal,’ retired Greek coast guard admiral Nikos Spanos told state-run ERT television.

The International Organization for Migration estimated that the vessel was carrying 700 to 750 people, including at least 40 children, based on interviews with survivors. Save the Children put that number higher, at about 100 children.

Reports suggested that the boat sank about 80km (50 miles) from the southern coastal town of Pylos.

Refugee activists, NGOs that rescue refugees, some European politicians and Pope Francis were among those who shared their sorrow and anger over the disaster.