Prime Minister Ioannis Sarmas has declared three days of national mourning following the tragedy of 79 migrants who died in a shipwreck off the coast of Pylos.
In particular, the Prime Minister declared three days of national mourning from 21:00 Wednesday 14 June 2023 until midnight Friday 16 June for the victims of a tragic shipwreck in international waters west of Greece, with the thought of all the victims of ruthless human traffickers who exploit human desires for a better life. .
Mitsotakis: We are shocked, saving as many lives as possible is paramount
New Democracy President Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his sorrow at the death of so many innocent people in a shipwreck in the international waters of the Mediterranean Sea. In a statement, he said the tragic event reminds us that “the migration issue remains an issue that requires a concerted European policy. So that the nefarious networks of criminals who traffic in desperate people finally get the decisive response they deserve.”
Statement by Kyriakos Mitsotakis:
“We are all shocked by today’s tragic shipwreck in the international waters of the Mediterranean Sea southwest of the Peloponnese. I express my sorrow at the death of so many innocent people. And now the forces of New Democracy are at the disposal of the government. These are moments of solidarity and humanity. The priority now is to save as many lives as possible. This new incident, however, underscores sharply that migration remains an issue that requires a coherent European policy. So that the vile networks of criminals who traffic in desperate people finally get the decisive response they deserve.”.
Tsipras: We must promote humanity and support survivors
The need to promote humanity and stand up for the survivors of the shipwreck southwest of Pylos is expressed in a social media post by SYRIZA-PS President Alexis Tsipras:
“Every minute the death toll in the shipwreck southwest of Pylos is rising. This is a human tragedy that sadly reflects the desperation of those who seek refuge in Europe. The time has come when we must show humanity and support the survivors of the shipwreck, while activating efforts to find the missing.”
He concludes: “I have just contacted Acting Prime Minister Ioannis Sarmas to obtain information about the circumstances of the tragedy. The SYRIZA-PS team, led by Athina Linou and Alexis Haritsis, is already in the area.”
Androulakis: Soul traders led hundreds to tragedy
“We are all deeply shocked. Unfortunately, there are many dead and hundreds missing”, said PASOK-KINAL President Nikos Androulakis of the Pylos shipwreck. In a statement, Mr. Androulakis said he had contacted the Prime Minister, Mr. Sarmas, who informed him of the extent of the tragedy.
“Our thoughts are with the rescuers who are fighting against the times. Once again, these soul merchants have led hundreds of people to tragedy in the Mediterranean. The European Union and our country must take action because we continue to have tragic results,” concluded the President of PASOK.
Koutsumbas: The slogan “their profits or our lives” is more relevant than ever
Dimitris Koutsoumbas, General Secretary of the KKE, made an emergency visit to Kalamata on the occasion of the fatal shipwreck with refugees and migrants off the coast of Pylos and, after receiving information from the competent authorities, made the following statement:
“Unfortunately, this is indeed an unspeakable tragedy. A new deadly shipwreck at Pylos with dozens of dead and hundreds of missing, as far as we are told, has been added today to all these shipwrecks, to the death of our compatriots, whom we have been mourning for many years in the Mediterranean Sea, in the Aegean sea and, unfortunately, in a tragedy that has no end.We are gathered here today, and even more so at a time when procedures for amending the Covenant are being discussed and accelerated EU on refugees and asylum, which will also mean the final burial of the Geneva Refugee Convention, with indescribable consequences, with increased repression. And of course with the opening of the “appetite” for further criminal smuggling rings that lead strangers into these watery graves and take the lives of women and children.”
“We believe that the Greek people, with the sensitivity that they have, the Greek youth, with the solidarity that they have shown and are showing over the years, should not accept as “normality” this ongoing crime in the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. all of us must be strengthened to stop the unjust imperialist wars, to stop the invasions and occupations of states, to stop this orgy of political persecution, poverty and hunger, which makes people emigrate in search of a better fate and end their lives in a watery grave in the Mediterranean” – he emphasized and concluded his statement:
“The slogan “Their profits or our lives” is more relevant than ever, and we clearly answer it: “We are on the side of people’s lives””, – concluded Koutsumbas.
“Greek decision”: Pylos tragedy demonstrates the responsibility of governments
The “Greek decision” blames governments for the tolerance they have shown for the Pylos shipwreck. “The tragedy of the Pylos shipwreck demonstrates the responsibility of governments for the tolerance they show towards inhuman slave owners and their accomplices, Hellenic Solution said in a statement. – If the Hellenic Solution’s proposals for life imprisonment for slave traders* and the closure of NGOs that trade in souls and human suffering were heard, human lives would be saved.”
* In the Greek Criminal Code, since 2012, smugglers involved in the transport of illegal immigrants are classified as slave traders. For each illegal immigrant, a term of 8 to 11 years is assigned. The number of illegal immigrants transported is summed up and, for example, for 20 people it can be 200 years.
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