04/02/2026 (Agence Europe) – In a press release published on Wednesday 4 February, The Left group in the European Parliament announced its intention to demand a debate on the rescue of migrants at sea at the forthcoming plenary session. This initiative follows the sinking of a boat off the Greek island of Chios, where a collision with the coastguard cost the lives of at least 15 people. Estrella Galán, a Spanish MEP, denounced a “murderous political failure”, while almost 1,000 migrants are still missing since the passage of Cyclone Harry in January. The group also criticises the “criminalisation” of NGOs and the EU’s “draconian” asylum measures (see EUROPE 13797/10). For its part, the Commission deplored the fact that “too many [migrants] lose their lives at the hands of traffickers”, stressing the importance of working together with partner countries to prevent further tragedies. (JM)