Immigrants Drown off Lefkada

The traffickers had promised 27 Syrian immigrants that they would be picked up by a ship to be taken to Italy. While attempting to board the ship the boat capsized resulting in the drowning of eight adults and four children, the rest managing to wade ashore.

Eight of the survivors were taken to Lefkada hospital, and the other seven to Preveza hospital. The Lefkada municipality is looking for a place to house the survivors.

Police and Coast Guard are taking statements from survivors in efforts to apprehend the traffickers.

Government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou noted that the tragedy highlighted all that must be done by the EU to face the problem of illegal immigration. Public order minister Nikos Dendias said the state would do all in its power to aid the survivors, but noted that there would be no guilt complexes in safeguarding borders.

Main opposition SYRIZA noted that the constant drownings in such situation was a shame for Europe and each country separately.

Communist party KKE, stated that measures by governments and the EU will not stem the immigration flow and will only raise the number of victims.