File photo.
A man’s body, likely from a migrant shipwreck that occurred earlier this month, has been discovered on a beach on the island of Gavdos.
The body, the eighth to be found since the disaster, was spotted on Agios Ioannis beach and will be retrieved by coast guard when weather conditions improve on the island, which lies to the south of Crete.
A forensic examination will then take place to determine if the remains are related to the shipwreck that occurred southwest of the island on December 14.
Local mayor Lilian Stefanaki said the island’s authorities needed assistance to deal with the aftermath of the sinking.
“We ask the state to take the situation as it has developed in Gavdos seriously. One police officer, two firefighters and a deputy mayor cannot deal with everything. This is all a very heavy burden.”
The wreck occurred 12.5 nautical miles south of Gavdos, when a boat carrying 82 people capsized in rough seas. Five bodies were recovered earlier, and 39 survivors were rescued. One remains in critical condition at a hospital in Hania, Crete.
Authorities have identified a human smuggler among the victims. On the same night, four other shipwrecks occurred in the region, with more than 200 migrants rescued.