The Coast Guard patrol boat «Gavdos 090» docked stern-first at the Kapsali pier to pick up the refugees and migrants, who were transported to the port’s shelter that evening.
With the help of citizens, aid, clothing, food, and water; however, as of 11:00 p.m., it was not yet known when the migrants and refugees would be transferred to a Reception and Identification Center.
Specifically, there are 40 people—families with children—who are from Afghanistan.
According to unofficial reports, there is also concern about another incident that occurred overnight in the waters off Kythira and the surrounding area, as the winds along the route from Kythira to Italy are strong, reaching up to 6 Beaufort.
Finally, it cannot be ruled out that the incident in Kythira is linked to the one in Kefalonia, where 56 migrants were rescued today.
All Migrants in Kefalonia Are Safe – How the Tragedy Was Averted
All the migrants who were rescued off the coast of Kefalonia have safely disembarked at the port of Igoumenitsa. There are 56 migrants in total—specifically, 43 men, 5 women, and 8 children—whose nationalities are not yet known.
The operation began when the the Joint Search and Rescue Coordination Center was notified via Olympia Radio of a sailboat in distress with a significant number of foreign nationals on board, approximately 90 nautical miles west of the Peloponnese coast, within the Greek search and rescue area of responsibility.
Subsequently, early yesterday morning, the National Center for Search and Rescue (EKSED) was informed that the motorboat was located southwest of the island of Zakynthos. Ships in the vicinity were immediately mobilized to provide assistance to the vessel if necessary, while throughout the day, the foreign nationals in question refused any assistance from the passing vessels as well as from the Greek authorities, stating this simultaneously via Olympia Radio. Late yesterday evening, as weather conditions in the area were becoming increasingly adverse, the aforementioned foreign nationals finally accepted the offer of assistance while sailing approximately 33 nautical miles west of the island of Kefalonia.
In this maritime area, three (03) passing ships were involved in the operation; throughout the operation, they were under the control of the Hellenic Coast Guard. Additionally, yesterday evening, one (01) Hellenic Navy frigate, while the prevailing weather conditions in the area were winds from the west at 5–6 Beaufort, and the forecast for the coming hours is for winds from the northwest at 7 Beaufort, strengthening. A total of fifty-six (56) people, all in good health, were rescued from the tanker ’GINGA HAWK.«.
