First images of ill-fated migrant boat released; death feared much higher

The first images of an ill-fated commercial fishing vessel turned migrant boat, as it haphazardly sailed north from Libya in the central Mediterranean, emerged on Wednesday afternoon, showing its deck crammed with what appeared to be desperate people waving their hands.

The official death toll in the early evening remained at 79, although Greek authorities and Frontex officials believe the death toll is much higher, as some of the survivors of the overturned vessel claimed its hold was crammed full of women and children.

According to reports, three of the survivors are being questioned on the suspicion of being the migrant smuggler operators of the sunken craft.

In the wake of the tragedy, Greece’s caretaker government declared a three-day period of national mourning, while most political parties and candidates cancelled scheduled campaign events for Wednesday.