At least 15 people were killed after a migrant speedboat collided with a Greek Coast Guard patrol vessel off the island of Chios in the eastern Aegean Sea on Tuesday, in one of the latest tragedies along the Mediterranean migration route.
Greek authorities confirmed that 14 bodies — 11 men and three women — were recovered from the sea shortly after the accident. One injured woman later succumbed to her wounds in hospital, raising the death toll to 15.
According to Greece’s public broadcaster ERT, 25 people were injured in the collision, including 11 children and two Coast Guard officers. The injured were transported to Chios port, where emergency teams rushed them to the island’s hospital for treatment, according to dw.com
A large-scale search-and-rescue operation was launched immediately after the incident. Patrol boats, divers, and a helicopter were deployed to search for possible missing passengers, as the total number of migrants aboard the speedboat remains unclear.
Media reports indicate that the migrant boat, believed to be carrying dozens of people, was traveling from the Turkish coast toward Chios. A Coast Guard patrol reportedly spotted the vessel and ordered it to change course.
ERT reported that the patrol boat issued a warning signal, after which the migrant speedboat allegedly attempted to flee. For reasons that have not yet been officially clarified, the two vessels collided, causing several passengers to fall into the sea, according to Athens-based broadcaster Skai. Authorities have not yet released a formal statement detailing the circumstances of the crash.
The incident highlights the ongoing dangers of the eastern Mediterranean migration route. Greece remains a key entry point into the European Union for people fleeing conflict, instability, and poverty in parts of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
Many migrants attempt the short but hazardous sea journey from Turkey to nearby Greek islands. The UN refugee agency reports that around 1,000 migrants have made the crossing so far this year.
Despite its proximity, the route is fraught with risk. The International Organization for Migration estimates that approximately 33,000 migrants have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean Sea since 2014, underlining the persistent humanitarian crisis unfolding along Europe’s maritime borders.
