Latest shipwrecks off Samos claim at least 12 lives
© UNHCR/Socrates Baltagiannis
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is deeply saddened by the recent tragic loss of life in the Aegean Sea. Most recently, at least 12 people, all women and children, have perished in two separate incidents off Samos island this week.
On 25 November, 39 people were rescued and eight people – six children and two women, all from Afghanistan – lost their lives at the sea northeast of Samos amidst adverse weather conditions. Amongst the victims were babies, the youngest just four months-old. A mother lost three of her children while another man lost both his wife and daughter.
On the morning of 28 November, a new incident resulted in the death of at least four people, two women and two children. A total of 28 people have been located. The circumstances surrounding this incident are yet to be determined.
UNHCR teams have been on the ground, supporting survivors from both incidents and assisting authorities in the heartbreaking aftermath. For survivors and their families, this includes the long and painful process of establishing family links, identifying bodies, arranging burials, coping with immense grief and trauma while navigating the reception and asylum procedures.
“Our thoughts are with all the survivors who are enduring unimaginable psychological distress. We stand ready to offer any additional support they may need.” said Maria Clara Martin, UNHCR Representative in Greece.
“These repeated tragedies highlight the urgent need for long-term responses and safer and credible alternatives for those fleeing conflict, persecution, violence, or gross human rights violations. We need serious efforts towards peacebuilding, conflict resolution and addressing root causes of flight; more aid to countries along the displacement routes; and of course, cooperation among states to achieve all the above. Counting lives lost at sea cannot become a norm – we should not get used to it”, she added.
The recent shipwrecks follow four other fatal incidents in the Aegean Sea: on 6 November, four lives were lost off southern Rhodes; on 10 November, a child was reported missing off Samos; on 23 November, a woman was reported missing near Farmakonissi; on 25 November, the body of a man was found on an inaccessible shoreline on Lesvos.
In total, this November, at least 17 people have died in the Aegean in their attempt to reach Greece and 45 since the beginning of the year.
UNHCR notes with concern the increase in fatalities in the Aegean Sea. For many, boarding unseaworthy vessels appears to be the only option to escape conflict or persecution. These journeys come with immense risks, including injury, exploitation by smugglers and loss of life. Additionally, we are concerned that some deterrence actions may involve risky practices and pursuits that may further endanger lives. .
The tragic loss of life in the Aegean must serve as a call to action to prevent further tragedies and uphold our shared commitment to protecting those fleeing conflict, persecution, violence, and human rights violations.
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