Greece's coastguard reported that the speedboat, attempting to evade capture, lost control, leading to a fatal encounter with a coastguard vessel. According to local media, the vessel was traveling at high speed when it collided with the Greek patrol boat, causing it to capsize.
Following the incident, which occurred near the island of Rhodes close to the Turkish coastline, rescuers managed to save 18 individuals, many of whom sustained injuries. A search operation involving helicopters and coastguard boats is ongoing to locate any additional survivors.
This haunting event is a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by thousands of migrants attempting to reach Europe, as reports indicate that countless lives are lost each year in the Mediterranean. Just last month, a similar tragedy off the Greek island of Samos resulted in the recovery of eight individuals, among whom were six children, after another migrant boat sank.
In 2023, more than 50,000 migrants have reached Greece by boat, making the nation the second-largest entry point for migrants into Europe, behind Italy. Despite a steady decline in migrant arrivals since last August, numbers have surged again, according to the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR).
UNHCR data indicates that approximately 180,000 migrants have arrived in Europe via sea this year, and tragically, around 2,000 individuals are now dead or missing as they traverse this treacherous journey, with children making up about 23% of all arrivals.
Following the incident, which occurred near the island of Rhodes close to the Turkish coastline, rescuers managed to save 18 individuals, many of whom sustained injuries. A search operation involving helicopters and coastguard boats is ongoing to locate any additional survivors.
This haunting event is a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by thousands of migrants attempting to reach Europe, as reports indicate that countless lives are lost each year in the Mediterranean. Just last month, a similar tragedy off the Greek island of Samos resulted in the recovery of eight individuals, among whom were six children, after another migrant boat sank.
In 2023, more than 50,000 migrants have reached Greece by boat, making the nation the second-largest entry point for migrants into Europe, behind Italy. Despite a steady decline in migrant arrivals since last August, numbers have surged again, according to the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR).
UNHCR data indicates that approximately 180,000 migrants have arrived in Europe via sea this year, and tragically, around 2,000 individuals are now dead or missing as they traverse this treacherous journey, with children making up about 23% of all arrivals.
