Those asylum seekers have highlighted their plight on the ferry on the way. According to many of them, they were kept in dark metal boxes and small rooms on the ship. No food or water was given. Some asylum seekers have been held for more than a day in such dire conditions.
One of the victims, an Afghan citizen, said he was locked in a container along with many others. It was only six and a half feet long and about four feet wide. A bottle of water was also given. The food had no smell. They had to stay there accepting all the hardships.
Many asylum seekers were handcuffed to metal pipes on the ship, according to reports. And the investigation revealed three such cases, where evidence was found that children under the age of 18 were sent back to Greece.
Meanwhile, the information given by the Greek government says that more than 230 asylum seekers from Italy have been sent back to Greece in the last two years. However, various human rights organizations believe that this number is much higher. Because accurate information about returned refugees is not always officially recorded.
