A boat containing 65 migrants that was located in international waters southwest of Argostoli, Kefalonia has set off for Italy. When the ship was initially discovered by the authorities it had been immobilized as it was out of fuel. It has not been determined how it was refueled.
It appears that the migrants began their journey in Istanbul and on Monday morning it transmitted a distress signal. Two Hellenic Coast Guard craft and a freighter under Turkish flag responded to the call.
Since the boat was international waters, on course for Italy, and did not make an attempt to illegally enter Greek territory, the Coast Guard has not intervened. The passengers are said to have refused to be tugged to Kefalonia or be boarded by the Coast Guard.
The passengers also told authorities there was no captain on board and asked to be allowed to carry on their journey to Italy.
