Four refugees were rescued by HRT Chios

HRT Chios was involved in a special sea rescue operation.

Specifically, on Monday, May the 9^th , at 15.30, during training with HRT Chios vessels, "IRINI" and "ATHINA", the Central Port of Chios informed HRT volunteers about four refugees that were seen swimming towards the coast of Turkey, in the vicinity of Chios Municipal fish marine.

The refugees, according to witnesses, had started to swim from the coastal refugee settlement of Souda, wearing lifejackets.

The two HRT boats responded immediately, reaching the point that was suggested by the Port Authority in just two minutes and they found the refugees in the sea, approximately 70 meters from the shore. The boats approached the refugees to provide assistance, but they categorically denied help, shouting that they want to go swimming in Athens!

The four refugees - of whom only three were wearing life vests – were of Iraqi origin, and of them was a disabled person. The crews, since the refugees didn’t know swimming and were out of forces, collected firstly the disabled person, who had suffered hypothermia and faded out as soon as he boarded the rescue boat, while shortly afterwards the second survivor refugee fainted as he was also himself hypothermic.

Directly first aid help was provided to them by the vessel's crew, while at the same time the Central Port of Chios was informed for an ambulance assistance.

Throughout the operation, there was continuous communication with the Port Authority of Chios, and between the two vessels.

By the end of the operation, two ambulances received the refugees and took them to the hospital of Chios.