Title: Stark Contrasts: Desperate Search for Missing Submarine versus Tragedy in the Mediterranean

Jahanzeb Ali Rizvi
3 min readJun 22, 2023

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Photo by NOAA on Unsplash

As the world holds its breath, the fate of five individuals trapped in a miniature submarine remains uncertain. Since Sunday, these souls have been lost at sea, anxiously hoping for a miraculous rescue. Their families endure a harrowing wait, clinging to the slimmest hope that their loved ones will return safely. It is a heart-wrenching situation that tugs at our collective empathy and calls for urgent action.

In stark and distressing contrast, a second maritime disaster occurred off the coast of Greece. A ship transporting hundreds of individuals sank in the treacherous depths of the Mediterranean Sea. The magnitude of the tragedy cannot be overstated: over 500 people are still unaccounted for, their fate unknown. The international community appears to have reacted with silence and indifference to this catastrophic event.

The disparity between these two incidents is both striking and deeply troubling. On one hand, we witness a display of unity and concerted efforts to rescue the privileged few. A group of wealthy individuals embarked on a voyage to explore the remnants of the Titanic, each paying a hefty sum of over 200 thousand dollars. As the news of their disappearance spread, the international community rallied together, deploying state-of-the-art equipment, a fleet of specialized ships, and aircraft armed with cutting-edge sonar technology. Every resource available is being mobilized to locate and rescue these five lives, and rightly so.

However, on the other side of the coin, we see a heartrending tragedy unfold where hundreds of lives hang in the balance. The shipwreck off the Greek coast exposes a distressing lack of urgency and coordinated action. Over five hundred individuals are missing, and families are left in anguish, yet there are no resounding headlines, no mobilization of resources, and no international outcry. Questions linger as to why no major efforts have been seen from any European country, and why there is a conspicuous absence of support or inquiries being launched.

The Greek coastguard’s account of the incident has come under scrutiny, with mounting evidence challenging their version of events. An analysis of ship movements in the area raises doubts about the coastguard’s claim that the boat was on a steady course to Italy and did not require immediate rescue. The BBC’s investigation reveals a disturbing lack of transparency and accountability, further exacerbating the tragedy.

In the face of such contrasting responses to human lives in peril, we must confront the uncomfortable reality that not all lives are treated as equal. Every life holds immeasurable value, irrespective of one’s financial status or social standing. The desperate situation faced by the five individuals aboard the lost submarine should serve as a reminder that every life matters and that concerted efforts should be made to save and protect all those in need.

As the search for the missing submarine intensifies, with advanced search equipment and international collaboration, we can only hope and pray for a positive outcome. Simultaneously, we must demand answers and accountability in the case of the Greek shipwreck tragedy. The international community must not turn a blind eye to the plight of these hundreds of individuals, their families desperately seeking closure and justice.

Photo by Ron Smith on Unsplash

In these dark times, we must surely endeavour to bridge the divide between compassion and action. We must advocate for those without a voice, seek justice for those in need, and ensure that no life is deemed less valuable than another. The disparity between the pursuit of a select few privileged individuals and the neglect of the disadvantaged cannot go unnoticed. Let us unite in compassion and solidarity, working assiduously to prevent such atrocities from occurring again and ensuring that all lives are accorded the respect and urgency they merit.

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Jahanzeb Ali Rizvi
Jahanzeb Ali Rizvi

Written by Jahanzeb Ali Rizvi

I consider myself a rights activist, social researcher, a philanthropist in making. I am a skilled web developer, graphic designer and a passionate writer.