SW News: At least 79 people have died, and dozens are feared missing after a fishing boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of southern Greece on Wednesday, June 14. The ongoing search-and-rescue operation has saved 104 people so far. Greece's interim government has declared three days of national mourning.

The authorities have described it to be one of Europe's deadliest shipping
disasters in recent years. An overloaded vessel left Libya for Italy with an
estimated 750 passengers on board. Reportedly, most of the migrants on board were from Pakistan, Egypt, and Syria. Survivors were taken to the Greek port of Kalamata. Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou visited them and expressed her grief for the dead and closeness to the injured.

Alarm Phone, a hotline support for boat people in distress, said it received alerts from people on board late on Tuesday. However, with sporadic contact after that.
The Alarm Phone then notified the Greek government and the UN High
Commissioner for Refugees branch. According to the Greek coast guard, its agents approached the boat and offered assistance. However, the migrants crammed onto the outer deck declined aid and expressed a wish to continue their journey causing the tragic incident.

Hundreds of people perish each year while attempting to cross the Mediterranean. One of the deadliest events ever was when a boat carrying migrants capsized in February near Cutro in the Calabria region of southern Italy, killing at least 94 people.