7 Egyptians Suspected of Crewing Migrant Boat
Seven Egyptians have been arrested in Greece. According to the authorities, they are suspected of packing about 500 migrants in fishing boat that lost its steering off Crete.
Toronto Star reports that they were suspected of being involved in migrant smuggling. Preliminary investigation claimed they were members of the boat’s crew.
The dilapidated ship had been heading to Italy from Libya. 483 passengers were on board before it lost its steering on Tuesday. The passengers made an SOS to the authorities. The authorities, in turn, launched a rescue operation and the fishing boat was towed to Crete.
Preliminary investigation, which also involved the European police agency, revealed that passengers had paid between $3000-$4000 each to a smuggling ring to be transported to Italy, according to the coast guard.
People fleeing from poverty and conflict in the Middle East, Asia and Africa try to make their way into the European Union every year. Most of them go through dangerous sea journeys.
