RASC News Agency: ABC News, citing Greek officials, has reported that all victims and survivors of a migrant boat that capsized off the coast of Greece are Afghanistani nationals. The boat sank near Rhodes Island in eastern Greece while attempting to evade a Greek patrol vessel. According to Greek authorities, the tragedy claimed eight lives. On Saturday, December 21, the Greek Coast Guard announced that a total of 18 migrants, including 12 men, 3 women, and 3 children all Afghanistanis were rescued. The fatalities were also confirmed to be Afghanistani citizens.
Two Turkish nationals, aged 23 and 19, have been arrested on charges of human smuggling in connection with the incident. The Greek Coast Guard stated that the vessel overturned before sinking. Several migrants sustained injuries during the incident, with some requiring hospitalization. Greek officials have indicated that one of the injured is in critical condition. This marks the second fatal migrant boat incident in the region within a week. Last week, another migrant boat partially sank south of Crete, leading to the rescue of over 200 people. However, seven individuals lost their lives, and dozens remain missing.
Greek government statistics indicate that over 60,000 migrants entered the country illegally this year, with Afghanistanis and Syrians comprising the majority, followed by Egyptians, Eritreans, and Palestinians. The rise in Afghanistani migration is a direct consequence of the Taliban’s oppressive regime. Following the Taliban’s return to power, millions of Afghanistanis have fled their homeland, escaping systemic discrimination, human rights abuses, and violence, seeking refuge and stability in Europe.
