Athens:The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has announced that the Palestinian embassies in Greece and Lebanon are actively following up with Greek authorities regarding two boat incidents that occurred off the Greek islands of Lesvos and Samos. These incidents involved Palestinians from Lebanon and Syria who went missing while attempting to reach the islands two days prior.
According to Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA – English, the Ministry stated that both embassies have been in communication with Greek authorities and the families of the missing individuals since the incidents were first reported. The Palestinian Embassy in Athens has reached out to the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum and the Hellenic Coast Guard Directorate to monitor developments regarding the incidents.
The Ministry cited Palestine's Ambassador to Greece, Yusuf Dargham, who confirmed that the Hellenic Coast Guard Directorate recovered four bodies from the sea near Lesvos and one near Samos. These bodies, which remain unidentified, are confirmed to be Palestinians.
Ambassadors Dargham and Mohammed al-Asaad, Palestine's Ambassador to Lebanon, are working with the families of the victims to proceed with the legal processes required for issuing death certificates and arranging the transportation of the bodies back to Lebanon and Syria. The Ministry noted that these processes are expected to take time due to Greek regulations.
Additionally, the Ministry urged Palestinians to avoid irregular migration, highlighting the severe risks it poses to their lives.