Search operations are continuing south of Kalo Limani in the municipality of Phaistos, Greece, for missing migrants following a boat capsizing incident that occurred early Saturday morning. The Coast Guard, assisted by two Frontex vessels and an aerial unit, is conducting extensive searches alongside four nearby vessels. Eyewitness accounts from survivors indicate that the boat was carrying around fifty individuals who had departed the previous Thursday night from Tobruk, Libya, having paid significant sums for their transport to Greece.

According to a statement from the Coast Guard headquarters, the migrants reportedly paid amounts equivalent to 4,000,000 Sudanese pounds and 220,000 Guinean francs for their passage. The tragic incident not only underscores the risks these migrants face but also highlights the ongoing issue of human trafficking in the region. In connection with this incident, two suspects have been arrested: a 25-year-old South Sudanese national and a 19-year-old Sudanese national, believed to be the traffickers responsible for facilitating the ill-fated journey.

The situation raises pressing questions about the safety measures in place for migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea and the capacity of local authorities and international organizations to respond effectively to such crises. This incident is part of a broader context of migrant struggles and the dangers posed by smugglers who exploit vulnerable populations seeking refuge and better opportunities in Europe.