Six migrants, including an infant, died after a speedboat collided with a Greek coast guard vessel off Lesvos. A 37-year-old Turkish national was arrested as the suspected smuggler.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Six migrants, including an infant, died after a speedboat carrying people from Turkey collided with a Greek coast guard vessel and overturned off the island of Lesvos early on Monday. The incident occurred roughly 3.5 nautical miles south of Agrilia, Lesvos, a Greek island located near the Turkish coast.
According to a coast guard statement, the speedboat was attempting to leave Turkey's western coast towards Lesvos when it collided with the coast guard vessel's bow on the left side and capsized. A large-scale rescue operation followed throughout the night, involving three coast guard patrol boats and a Greek air force helicopter.
Rescuers recovered the bodies of four men, one woman, and an infant. Eight other passengers on the speedboat—four men, two women, and two children—were rescued from the sea and taken to hospital. The coast guard confirmed that all those on board have been found.
Authorities arrested a 37-year-old Turkish national who was among the survivors. He has been identified as the suspected smuggler and operator of the boat. The circumstances of the crash continue to be investigated.
Greece's shipping minister, Vassilis Kikilias, blamed migrant traffickers for the deaths. In a statement on X, he said the tragedy "fills us with sorrow and rage." He stated that evidence so far indicated the trafficker's speedboat collided with its bow on the left side of the Coast Guard vessel.
"Our stance is non-negotiable: zero tolerance for traffickers," Kikilias said. He described the smugglers as "ruthless criminals" who "do not hesitate to lead desperate people, families, and innocent children to their deaths" in order to get rich.
Greece has long been a favoured gateway to Europe for migrants and refugees from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. During the 2015-16 migration crisis, the country was at the frontline, with nearly 1 million people landing on its islands, mainly from Turkey.
The incident highlights the ongoing dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross from Turkey to Greek islands. The arrest of the suspected smuggler and the government's vow of "zero tolerance" reflect the continued enforcement efforts against human trafficking networks operating in the region. The exact circumstances of the collision remain under investigation.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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