Greek law enforcement has appealed to Europol (the European Union's police force) for help in investigating the sinking of a migrant fishing boat in the Mediterranean Sea that killed several hundred people, Deutsche Welle reports.
The investigation focused on nine people who were arrested on suspicion of smuggling - they survived the crash. One of them is still in the hospital. Egyptian citizens between the ages of 20 and 40 are accused of human trafficking, manslaughter, and criminal organization.
The Greek TV channel ERT reports that they belong to a group of smugglers who organized the movement of up to 18 dangerous ships from the coast of Libya to Italy in recent months.
With the help of Europol, Greek investigators hope to identify the organizers of the smuggling operation. The identities of those arrested were determined based on the testimony of other survivors. One of those arrested admitted to receiving the money to work on board, while the others denied all charges, Kathimerini newspaper reported. Survivors said they paid between 5,000 and 6,000 euros per person to board the boat.
The suspects are due to appear in court on June 19.
A boat of South African migrants sank near Greece
On June 14, a fishing boat carrying North African migrants capsized off the coast of Greece. More than 100 people were rescued. It is estimated that up to 700 people were on board the boat. It was said that there was no hope of finding the rest alive.
The boat left Libya for Italy on June 10. He drowned in international waters near the city of Pylos. According to officials, the cause of the incident was that the ship was carrying too many people.
The Greek government announced three days of mourning.
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