A devastating migrant boat tragedy unfolded off the coast of Greece on June 13, 2023, leaving scores dead and hundreds more missing. The overcrowded fishing trawler, carrying an estimated 700 to 750 migrants, capsized in deep waters, plunging families into desperate searches for their loved ones.

While 104 individuals were rescued in the initial stages, hopes dwindled as a massive search and rescue operation involving ships and aircraft yielded no further survivors. The absence of women among the rescued added to the anguish of waiting relatives. Kassem Abu Zeed, a Syrian refugee living in Germany, rushed to Greece after learning his wife and brother-in-law were on board. He recounted his wife's last message, detailing her $5,000 payment to smugglers for the perilous journey from Libya to Italy.

Survivors, grappling with shock and trauma, anxiously sought to contact their families while desperately seeking information about missing friends and relatives. Accounts from relatives paint a grim picture of the human cost. Mohamed Abdi Marwan, from Syria, shared his agonizing wait for news of five missing relatives, including a 14-year-old. He questioned the smugglers' disregard for human life, highlighting the exorbitant fees paid by each passenger.

The Greek government declared three days of mourning and launched an investigation into the incident. Conflicting reports emerged regarding the events leading up to the capsizing. Greek authorities stated the vessel appeared to be sailing normally and declined rescue offers, while activist networks claimed to have received distress calls hours before the tragedy. Experts emphasized the legal obligation of authorities to attempt rescue if a vessel is deemed unsafe, regardless of passenger requests.

The incident has sparked renewed calls for increased cooperation to combat migrant smuggling, while human rights organizations argue that stricter border controls force migrants into even more dangerous routes. The immense loss of life serves as a stark reminder of the desperate measures taken by those seeking refuge and the urgent need for safer migration pathways.

Kassem Abo Zeed holds up a phone displaying a photo of himself with his wife, Ezra, who is missing after a fishing boat carrying migrants sank on June 15, 2023. Abo Zeed traveled from Hamburg, Germany, to try and find his wife and her missing brother, Abdullah Aoun.  (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)