Tragic Collision in Aegean: Speedboat Carrying Migrants Breaches Safety, Leaving 15 Dead

A tragic maritime accident occurred off the eastern Aegean island of Chios, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 individuals. According to the Greek coast guard, the incident involved a speedboat filled with migrants colliding with a patrol vessel. As of late Tuesday, a rigorous search and rescue operation is in progress, engaging patrol boats, a helicopter, and divers to locate any additional missing persons. The coast guard reported that 14 bodies—comprising 11 men and three women—were retrieved from the water. Furthermore, 25 migrants, including approximately 11 children, were rescued and taken to a hospital in Chios. Tragically, one of the injured women later succumbed to her injuries in the hospital, raising the total death toll to at least 15. The exact number of passengers aboard the speedboat remains unclear, and ongoing rescue efforts incorporate four patrol vessels, an air force helicopter, and a private boat filled with divers to search for potentially missing individuals. Local news footage depicted a somber scene, showing a person being carried from a boat wrapped in a blanket into a vehicle of the coast guard, flashing blue lights illuminating the area. Others were seen assisting two children, one noticeably limping, toward the waiting vehicle. At this time, the Greek coast guard has not provided additional details regarding the circumstances surrounding the collision. Michalis Giannakos, head of Greece's public hospital workers' union, spoke of the urgent readiness of hospital staff in Chios to manage the unexpected surge of injured individuals and remain prepared for the possibility of more casualties. He indicated on Greece's Open TV channel that multiple injured survivors would require surgical intervention. This harrowing incident highlights the ongoing dangers faced by migrants at sea and the critical work of rescue teams in emergency situations. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2