Nine arrested over Greece migrant shipwreck

STORY: Sources say nine Egyptian nationals have been arrested in connection to a deadly migrant shipwreck off the coast of Greece.

The suspects were seen being escorted on Thursday from coast guard headquarters in the city of Kalamata, where Greek authorities said 104 survivors have been brought so far.

The death toll now stands at 79, but that number is expected to rise, as hundreds are still missing.

Reports suggest up to 750 people were packed on the fishing boat when it capsized and sank Wednesday morning in deep waters some 50 miles from shore.

Local media reported the ship departed from Egypt and stopped at the Libyan port of Tobruk before setting off for Italy.

Psychologists treating survivors in Kalamata say that many are still in shock.

[Angeliki Doula / Psychologist]

“It was all so quick and they still feel that they are inside, they don't feel that they are here, that their (feet) are here, they feel that they are still inside, that they are going to die. One person was crying and calling that, 'I want to phone call my mother in order to inform her that if I am going to die at least I have spoken to her'.”

[Eva Tsikrikou / Psychologist]

“It's very difficult because almost no one speaks English so the problem is how to communicate, even for emotional reasons. Some of them are in a very, in a really terrible emotional situation, it's obvious, but they're still in shock, it's about one, two, days they are going to be in shock. We are expecting them afterwards some PTSD expressions.”

Images taken prior to the accident showed dozens of passengers looking up, some with arms outstretched.

But officials said they repeatedly rejected assistance from Greece’s coast guard, making a rescue operation impossible.

The coast guard has said the search operation will continue for as long as needed.