Eighth Body Found on Gavdos Following Migrant Shipwreck

GAVDOS, Greece – The body of a man, believed to be a victim of a migrant shipwreck earlier this month, has been discovered on Agios Ioannis beach on the island of Gavdos.

This is the eighth body recovered since the disaster, which occurred southwest of the island on December 14 when a boat carrying 82 people capsized in rough seas.

The Coast Guard will retrieve the body once weather conditions improve. A forensic examination will confirm whether the remains are linked to the shipwreck.

Gavdos Mayor Lilian Stefanaki has appealed for additional state support to manage the ongoing situation, stating, “One police officer, two firefighters and a deputy mayor cannot deal with everything. This is all a very heavy burden.”

The shipwreck occurred 12.5 nautical miles south of Gavdos. Five bodies were initially recovered, and 39 people were rescued. One survivor remains in critical condition in a Chania hospital on Crete. Authorities have identified a human smuggler among the deceased. On the same night as this tragedy, four other shipwrecks occurred in the region, resulting in the rescue of over 200 migrants.