Tragic Collision Claims Lives of Migrants in the Aegean Sea

On Wednesday, the Greek coast guard, aided by helicopters and patrol boats, conducted a search operation in the eastern Aegean Sea following a tragic incident involving a collision between a patrol boat and a speedboat carrying migrants. The incident, which occurred late on Tuesday night, resulted in the death of at least 15 individuals, with more than two dozen others injured. Initial reports indicated that most of the passengers on the speedboat hailed from Afghanistan. Following the collision, 24 individuals, including 11 children, were hospitalized on the island of Chios. Hospital director Christos Tsiahris revealed that three of the injured were in serious condition and receiving treatment in the intensive care unit, while 10 children under the age of 15 were admitted to the pediatric ward. The coast guard confirmed that two of its officers were also injured in the incident, with one remaining hospitalized on Wednesday. Maritime Affairs Minister Vassilis Kikilias expressed profound sorrow for the loss of life, describing the plight of traffickers as enemies of the state who risk the safety of both migrants and coast guard members. He pledged an investigation into the incident would be conducted with transparency and professionalism. The coast guard confirmed that the bodies of 11 men and three women were retrieved from the sea shortly after the collision, while one woman succumbed to her injuries later in the hospital. However, the total number of passengers aboard the speedboat remains uncertain. The coast guard's statement described how their patrol boat spotted the unlit speedboat late Tuesday night. When attempts were made to signal the vessel to stop, it altered direction, leading to the collision and subsequent capsizing. The depiction provided by the coast guard has not been independently verified. Michalis Giannakos, the leader of Greece's public hospital workers union, indicated that hospital staff in Chios were placed on high alert to accommodate the sudden surge of injured and deceased individuals. He noted that several of the injured required surgical interventions, highlighting the emergency response measures that were necessary in the wake of the incident. Greece has long been a primary entry point into the European Union for those fleeing conflict and dire living conditions in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Unfortunately, fatal accidents during these crossings are not uncommon. Many migrants attempt to make the risky journey from the Turkish coast to the nearby Greek islands aboard overcrowded inflatable boats, while others rely on smugglers who operate high-speed vessels. The Greek authorities have faced criticism about increased patrols and alleged pushbacks—deportations conducted without allowing asylum applications. In light of these concerns, the country, along with other EU nations, has tightened migration regulations. In December, the European Union initiated an overhaul of its migration system aimed at streamlining deportations and enhancing detention procedures. A fierce debate regarding migration continues among EU member states, intensified by a surge of asylum seekers entering Europe over the past decade. Amid increasing political pressures, particularly from far-right factions, EU migration policies have become stricter, resulting in a significant decline in asylum seeker numbers compared to previous record levels. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2