大象传媒

Just over a week ago, a fishing vessel packed with an estimated 750 people including many children sank off the coast of Greece. So far, only 78 bodies have been recovered, and just over 100 people rescued.

What caused the vessel to sink remains unclear. Greek officials maintain those on board said they did not want help and were not in danger until just before their boat sank, despite evidence collected by the 大象传媒 which contradicts their account of events.

The UN has called for an investigation into Greece's handling of the disaster.

One of those feared drowned is Ahmad Alkaed, an 18 year old from Syria who was a student. His cousin, Nedal Al-Amari made a similar journey in 2015 and is now living in Germany. He told Newsday that Ahmad was travelling to Europe to avoid military conscription and being sent to the war in Syria and that he had told him after his own scary and very dangerous boat trip to Europe that Ahmad should "never trust anyone or the sea that is very dangerous".

But Ahmad, he said, was "young and naive and always mentioned that 'he would rather die at sea than by an Assad bomb.'"

Ahmed's mother and sisters "are now sick in Syria after losing hope that Ahmed is alive, his mother can't even speak."

Nedal thinks the Greek authorities are responsible for what happened after speaking to two survivors saying "they kill people and then go look for the bodies". Ahmad he said "is a hero because he just wanted a new life and a new future, follow his dream and continue to study." The only thing on Nedal's mind now is that another cousin in Libya, Ahmad's brother does not do the same thing.

(Photo: Ahmad Alkaed. Credit Ahmad Alkaed)

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