Church leaders pray for victims of shipwreck off Greek coast

Photo: Hellenic Coast Guard (June 2023)

Source: WCC/Vatican News

Prayers have. been said around the world for victims of the shipwreck which took place in Mediterranean off the coast of Greece last Wednesday, in which hundreds of refugees drowned.

At the conclusion of Sunday's Angelus, Pope Francis mentioned that Tuesday, 20 June is UN World Refugee Day. Expressing his great sadness he said: "I reiterate my prayer for those who have lost their lives, and I implore that everything possible is done to prevent similar tragedies."

The search for the missing in international waters continues. So far 78 people are confirmed dead and 104 have been rescued. As many as 750 people, including 100 children are among those missing, in what may be confirmed as the biggest tragedy in the Mediterranean.

Survivors were brought to the port city of Kalamata by the coastguard, where many are being treated for conditions including hypothermia and dehydration.

The boat is thought to have set off from the Libyan port of Tobruk and was heading to Italy.

Greek authorities said most of the migrants were from Egypt, Syria, and Pakistan. The Greek government has declared three days of national mourning.

Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens, primate of the Church of Greece, expressed condolences.

"No words can express the deepest pain I feel today as a human being and as a clergyman for the untimely and tragic loss of dozens of our fellow human beings in the shipwreck in international waters off Pylos," he said.

"In the midst of death and trauma caused by this terrible event, let us bring our intercessions together, praying that the God of Life will comfort the ones who lost their loved ones and give strength to those involved in the actions of solidarity with the victims," said Rev Prof Dr Jerry Pillay, general secretary of the World Council of Churches.

"We convey our prayers to the victims and their families, as well as to the churches in Greece mobilizing their networks to help their sisters and brothers," added Pillay.