The Coast Guard’s first estimate is that 568 people are missing

The first estimates of the wreckage on Pylos are staggering, with the Coast Guard continuing to put the missing people at 568.

This horrifying assessment of the shipwreck at Pylos is based on the accounts of survivors, searches of relatives, and first-hand information from captured slave traders.

If the number of missing is confirmed at 568, it means that there were a total of 750 people on the ship. After all, the same number was given by the alarm phone yesterday and confirmed the survivor’s message published by ERT.

So far, authorities have arrested nine Egyptians accused of forming a criminal organization and causing the shipwreck.

They are expected to be immediately turned over to the public prosecutor for criminal prosecution. Earlier today, Thursday (15.6.2023), it became known that 8 people were brought in and interrogated, which authorities found after tips from migrants who saved themselves from the Pylos crash.

According to the information, they had a website and found customers there, charging a “fee” of 4,000 to 6,000 euros per person. The ship’s captain may also be among those arrested.

All the nine arrested are in the Kalamata Prosecutor’s office

Around 11:00 p.m., the arrested Egyptian nationals, who were allegedly smugglers of migrants aboard a sunken fishing boat in Pylos international waters, left the Kalamata Port Authority.

All the nine arrested were taken to the Kalamata District Public Prosecution Office. The Coast Guard’s press office said the arrested Egyptian nationals were between the ages of 20-40.

Rescuers in Malaga in the morning

After 08.00 on Friday morning, buses chartered by the municipality are scheduled to depart from Kalamata, which will transport the rescued people to the structure in Malagasa.

Among them are some minors who will first be transferred to Malacca to complete identification procedures and then transferred to juvenile facilities.

How a Dangerous Fishing Boat Wrecked Off Pylos

Speaking to ERT, Coast Guard spokesperson Captain Nicholas Alexio said, “Unfortunately, none of the missing persons have been found. However, we are continuing with investigations as usual.

The investigations continue and not a single minute is left without interruption. In fact, last night, an Air Force C-130 participated in them, dropping flares to illuminate the field and assist us in the search.

Although the weather is a bit “charged” now, research continues now and we have 5-6 Beaufort. Unfortunately no one else was available. However, we are continuing the investigation as usual,” he said.

And he emphasized the fact that many people were not saved, “adding the 104 people rescued with the bodies and looking at the picture from the outer deck, the numbers are roughly compatible. Since then, we realize that the ship capsized and sank in a very short time. Those inside the ship probably could not get out (…)

There were a lot of people on the outer floor. The hotel was similarly crowded. There was a movement that overturned the center of gravity and overturned the ship, and it all happened in a very short time.”

They refused to help saying “Italy is Italy”.

And he added: “Firstly, communications have been made by telephone through the cabin, communications have been made with instructions from the cabin, and direct and direct communication with the captains through the ships. Finally, when the coastal patrol boat of the Coast Guard, which had left in the evening, also arrived and approached the ship, our colleagues spoke to them and said, “Italia Italia.” They tried to give them help which they refused by categorically stating that.

Among other things, he emphasized: “As you understand in the open sea, even if it’s a Greek rescue mission, there are certain limitations on what you can and can’t do in a moment.

(…) If an attempt has been made to scuttle this fishing vessel, with the number of men on the outer deck, to scuttle, adopt or tow her forward. All these people, obstinately refusing to accept help, reacting violently to the thought of commotion, and moving on deck, we all realize that we can only cause a naval accident, not save the 104th. Our fellow human beings as we did, because we would be in some different functional activity”.