Minister of Immigration and Asylum sends a double message to Turkey and the European Union Notis Mitarakisin connection with two shipwrecks with dead and missing people that occurred within a few hours on Kitira and Lesbos.

“We urge Turkey to take immediate action to prevent further irregular flights, especially due to difficult weather conditions. Already today, many lives have been lost in the Aegean Sea, people are drowning in unseaworthy boats. The European Union must act,” the Minister of Immigration and Asylum tweeted.

An urgent call for 🇹🇷 to take immediate action to prevent all irregular flights due to severe weather. Already today, many lives have been lost in the Aegean Sea, people are drowning in unseaworthy ships. The EU must act.

— Notis Mitarakis (@nmitarakis) October 6, 2022

Double tragedy on Kythira and Lesvos

Recall that late at night from Wednesday to Thursday, 16 women of African descent died when their boat, on board of which there were about 40 people, sank in the sea area of ​​​​Provoskida, east of Lesvos.

All nine rescued women are young women of African descent who were taken to Mytilene Hospital where they received first aid. It is noted that three of them were trapped in a rocky, steep terrain.

The Greek police, fire brigade and army, with the help of an Air Force Super Puma helicopter, continue to operate in the area in search of at least 15 more missing people.

In the meantime, at least 80 migrants have been rescued after the impact and semi-sinking of a sailboat near the sea cliff at Diakofti in Kythira.

According to information available to the authorities, there were 95 people on board the boat.

The Coast Guard continues to search for the missing in adverse conditions, with winds between 8 and 10 on the Beaufort scale.