The following is derived from testimonies of eight survivors who were aboard a migrant ship that sank off the Greek port of Kalamata. The statements were obtained by CGTN Europe.

"I was in the sea for an hour. There were many dead bodies around me."

"I don't know how to swim. God saved me. It was all like a bad dream."

The passengers

The survivors were all men. All of those whose testimony was obtained by CGTN said they were from Pakistan or Syria. They estimate around 750 people were on board. A number recall women and children, including their own relatives, being below deck. None have survived.

Cost of the trip

Those who came from Pakistan generally paid around $7,600, while those from Syria said the fee was between $4,000 and $5,000. One man said he paid an extra $200 to go up on deck, another said he paid $50 to go up top.

The crew

The survivors claim they were abused by the crew including being sworn at or hit. One man claimed that a crew member urinated into water supplies, another that one put his foot into the drinking water.

The captain of the boat had a satellite phone. He is said to have reassured the passengers that they would be picked up by the Italian coastguard.

Situation on the boat

Several witnesses testified that the boat was in bad condition. Most say the engine broke down more than once. No one had life jackets.

Many recall that food and water was in short supply. One said that luggage was thrown overboard before they set out to accommodate more people.

Most of the survivors say that several boats from different nations stopped to offer help but the captain refused until the threat from his angry passengers forced him to accept.

The sinking

None of the men can categorically say how the boat sank. However they all agree that it was around the time that it was being towed by a Greek ship. Several say they believe overcrowding was the main cause and that the movement of those on board in response to listing of the vessel during towing probably caused it to capsize.

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