While the whole world was watching the search for the submersible, there was another story we didn't see.

This week, one news story, in particular, has captured the entire world's attention. And for good reason.

It's the case of the missing submersible, which disappeared on the way to the Titanic wreck. The six-metre vessel, named Titan, went missing on Sunday. It has the capacity for enough oxygen to stay underwater for 96 hours, but it has since been confirmed that the submerisble imploded – killing all passengers onboard.

The five passengers the vessel included a billionaire, a CEO, a mariner/director, a businessman and his teenage son.

It's a horrific situation and one that has strong potential to end in the deaths of five people.

But amid the intense press coverage and interest in the Titan sub and its missing passengers, there's another news story many of us haven't even heard about.

Watch: Search continues for the missing Titan sub, and time is running out. Post continues below.

On June 13, a 20- to 30-metre-long fishing boat packed with hundreds of migrants sank off Greece's southwest coast in some of the deepest waters of the Mediterranean.

The vessel was thought to be carrying up to 700 migrants from Egypt, Syria and Pakistan, all of whom were trying to get to Italy in search of a better, and likely safer, life.

Out of the approximately 700 people onboard – including, say witnesses, up to 100 children – only 104 were rescued when the vessel began to sink.

The coast guard has retrieved numerous bodies so far, with the official death toll currently standing at 82. Of course, the real number of those who died is likely far greater.

Greek authorities say survivors told them they paid $A6,639 each for the journey.

Prior to the migrant vessel sinking, Greece was alerted by Italy about the boat's presence in Greece's search and rescue jurisdiction on June 12. The boat had been approached by merchant vessels and shadowed by the Greek coast guard for several hours before capsizing and sinking.

Greek officials are now under increasing scrutiny for their response to the disaster.

Image captured by the Hellenic Coast Guard of the migrant boat with more than 500 people on board. Image: AAP.

There have also been reports that the boat flipped after the Greek coast guard attempted to tow it away. Greek authorities have denied this account. 

Alarm Phone, a refugee support group that had been in communication with the vessel, alleged people onboard had pleaded for help on at least two occasions, and that it had alerted the Greek authorities and aid agencies hours before the disaster.

Nine men have since been charged over the shipwreck. They deny any wrongdoing.

The suspected smugglers appeared before a prosecutor this week to respond to charges that included manslaughter, setting up a criminal organisation, migrant smuggling and causing a shipwreck.

As for the survivors, their stories are harrowing. 

Relatives have been turning up outside a migrant facility north of Athens, showing photos of the missing through the camp gates in the hopes someone might recognise them.

There was an emotional reunion for Syrian teenager Mohammad Hadhoud, 18, who survived the wreck, and his elder brother Fadi, who spotted each other through a metal barricade at a migrant camp.

Syrian survivor Mohammad, 18, who was rescued with other refugees and migrants at open sea off Greece after their boat capsized, cries as he reunites with his brother.

On June 16, 2023, a group of survivors from a tragic shipwreck reached a migrants reception center near… pic.twitter.com/NZPp7cPbTk

— In Context (@incontextmedia) June 16, 2023

It's a small story of hope amid a sea of sadness.

However, there's an uncomfortable truth that we must grapple with. Why is it that this incident, in which likely more than 500 people have lost their lives, has not received anywhere near the same attention as that of the missing submersible?

Many of us probably already know the answer. 

When it comes to the plights of migrants, refugees and those seeking asylum, we seldom hear their stories. 

The news of the Titan sub is horrifying, without question. It's the kind of random occurrence that disturbs and intrigues us on a deep, visceral level, as we put ourselves in those shoes and wonder what we would do in that same situation.

But while the story of the Titan and the people aboard is undeniably important to report on, so too are the many lives lost off the Greek coast.

It's a stark reminder of the world in which we live when we, as a collective, lose sight of this. 

Feature Image: AAP.