EU should take steps to prevent new boat tragedies: German Chancellor

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed sorrow on Thursday over the sinking of a migrant boat off southern Greece that claimed at least 79 lives.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, Scholz said that during his meeting earlier in the day with the premiers of the federal states, they discussed current issues and refugee flows to Europe.

“We have heard about the accident and the death of so many people who drowned in the Mediterranean Sea. That it is a depressing incident, and it shows us once again that we should do everything possible so that people avoid these dangerous migration routes,” he said.

Scholz underlined the need for a common EU migration and asylum policy in order to reduce irregular migration flows while facilitating legal and safe pathways to Europe for those in need of protection.

At least 79 migrants drowned off southwestern Greece on Wednesday after the fishing boat they were in capsized, according to Greek authorities.

A total of 104 migrants were rescued, but the number of deaths is feared to rise as survivors said the vessel was carrying up to 700 migrants, mostly from Pakistan, Egypt and Syria.