It was a small fibber glass boat (usually these boats are for 4-5 people max) that was not in good condition. Some of the survivors claimed that they didn’t want to get in the boat but they were forced to do so by the smugglers. Very soon while they were still in Turkish sea waters the engine of the boat stopped and water started to come in. They tried to take the water out (probably they tried to call for help) but in one point the boat capsized and people fell in the sea. According to the coast guard there was nobody in the small cabin of the boat. One man from Uzbekistan was arrested as trafficker and the authorities interrogate him. The missing refugees are now 4 after one man was found alive last morning. Three men and a little girl from Syria.

All the information we have got is from people who have visited them and from the authorities. Most of the 16 survivors are in Moria detention camp since last morning. Three of them are still in the hospital suffering mainly by hypothermia (these days are very cold here). The mother of the little girl who is missing is in Moria detention camp. All of them are Syrians.

UNHCR asked the police to released the survivors and transfer them to PIKPA.
Red Cross international visited the survivors and gave them telephone cards to contact their families. According to the coast guard, the rescue operation will go on for another 48 hours. Last nignt the coast guard announced that they will be searching during the night using thermo cameras.