Fifteen Dead After Speedboat Collides With Greek Patrol Vessel Near Chios

At least 15 migrants have died after an inflatable speedboat carrying them collided with a Greek coast guard patrol vessel and capsized off the island of Chios late on Tuesday, Greek authorities said.

The incident is one of the deadliest migrant-related maritime accidents in Greece in recent years.

According to the Hellenic Coast Guard, the speedboat was spotted moving without navigation lights towards the eastern coast of Chios in the Myrsinidio sea area.

Officials said the boat did not respond to light and sound signals from the patrol vessel and instead reversed course, colliding with the coast guard boat on its starboard side.

The impact caused the speedboat to capsize and sink, throwing all passengers into the sea. Authorities recovered the bodies of 14 people, 11 men and three women, from the water.

Twenty-five others were rescued, including seven men, seven women and 11 minors, and were taken to Skylitseio Hospital in Chios. One injured woman later died in hospital, raising the death toll to 15.

Two coast guard officers were also injured and taken to hospital, with one discharged and the other kept under observation.

Hospital officials said several of the injured migrants required surgery due to serious injuries affecting vital organs. Many were treated for hypothermia, head injuries and fractures.

Two pregnant women were among those injured, and doctors reported that the foetuses showed no cardiac activity. Some patients remain in intensive care, while others continue treatment, including in the paediatric ward.

Greek authorities said the migrant boat was overloaded and carrying at least 39 people. Most of those on board were Afghans, with at least one Moroccan national.

A large search and rescue operation was launched under the coordination of Greece’s Joint Search and Rescue Coordination Centre.

The operation involved four coast guard patrol vessels, a private boat with civilian divers, and two Air Force helicopters. Additional patrol vessels remain deployed as searches continue for any potentially missing passengers.

Greece is a major entry point into the European Union for migrants and refugees from the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Many attempt the short but dangerous sea crossing from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands such as Chios.

The country has faced ongoing scrutiny over its handling of migrant crossings, particularly following the deadly Pylos shipwreck in 2023.

The Central Port Authority of Chios has opened an investigation into the incident.

References: HCG, BBC

Source: Maritime Shipping News