Brussels-New York: Europe and the Arabs
The International Organization for Migration and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have called for decisive action to prevent further deaths at sea, after the worst shipwreck in the Mediterranean in many years. According to the United Nations news bulletin, a copy of which we received at dawn today
It is not yet clear how many people were on board the boat that sank off the coast of Greece on June 14. However, it is believed that he carried between 400 and 750 people on board, according to several testimonies.
So far, 104 people have been rescued, while 78 bodies have been exhumed. Hundreds remain missing and feared dead.
The boat made its first distress call on the morning of June 13th. The Greek Coast Guard announced that it had launched a large-scale search and rescue operation on the morning of the 14th, after the boat sank.
In a joint press release, the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees stressed that rescuing people who make a distress call at sea without delay is one of the provisions of international navigation law.
The statement added that any search and rescue work must be carried out in line with the obligation to prevent loss of life at sea.
The two organizations welcomed Greece's announcement to open an investigation into the circumstances of the accident that led to the sinking of the boat and the loss of many lives.
impractical style
“It is clear that the current method applied in the Mediterranean is impractical. Year after year, the Mediterranean remains the most dangerous migration route in the world due to high death rates. Countries must cooperate and deal with the gaps in "Active search and rescue operations, rapid disembarkation and safe passage. These collective efforts must put migrants' rights and saving lives at the center of any response."
In turn, the UN Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees, Gillian Triges, said, "Solidarity and safety must be at the heart of any EU action in the Mediterranean."

"terrible tragedy"
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk commented on the incident, saying that the heartbreaking loss of life in the Mediterranean is a "terrible tragedy".
In a statement, Türk offered his condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the accident, which included women and children. The High Commissioner expressed his solidarity with the survivors and the families of the victims.
"What happened last Wednesday points to the need to pursue smugglers and human traffickers to bring them to justice," Türk said.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights reiterates his call on States to open more legal migration channels, strengthen responsibility sharing, arrange for timely and safe transfers and rescues, and establish independent oversight and oversight of migration policies and practices.