UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is deeply saddened at news that two young children and a man died off Samos island after their boat capsized in rough waters in the early hours of 7 March. Nine people were rescued by the Hellenic Coast Guard. The shipwreck is the first in […]
© UNHCR/Caroline Irby
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is deeply saddened at news that two young children and a man died off Samos island after their boat capsized in rough waters in the early hours of 7 March. Nine people were rescued by the Hellenic Coast Guard.
The shipwreck is the first in the Aegean Sea this year and comes days before the grim anniversary of the Agathonisi shipwreck in which 16 people died on 17 March 2018 just south of Samos.
UNHCR is in continuous contact with Greek authorities and is supporting the survivors by all means necessary.
“This is another tragic reminder that more efforts are needed to save lives and prevent ruthless smugglers and traffickers from sending people on these perilous journeys,” said Philippe Leclerc, UNHCR Representative in Greece. “More safe and legal pathways are needed to access asylum in Europe so that refugees don’t risk their lives in the first place.”
In 2018, 2,262 people lost their lives attempting to reach Europe by sea. Among them, despite the short distance between the Greek islands and Turkey, more than 120 people drowned in the Aegean last year.
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