Tragic Incident on Aegean Sea Claims Lives of Eight Migrants

Eight migrants lost their lives in a maritime tragedy as a speedboat carrying them capsized while evading Greek coastguard authorities.

At least eight migrants have drowned in the Aegean Sea after a speedboat capsized while attempting to evade a Greek coastguard patrol. According to the coastguard, the incident occurred when the boat driver "lost control" while speeding away from the patrol vessel. Reports indicate that the speedboat collided with the Greek coastguard vessel in the chaos of the escape attempt.

Rescue operations are ongoing, with 18 individuals reportedly rescued from the sea, some of whom are suffering from injuries sustained during the incident. This tragic event unfolded near the island of Rhodes, a known route for migrant smugglers aiming to reach Europe from Turkey.

A search-and-rescue operation involving coastguard vessels and helicopters continues in hopes of discovering any additional survivors. Each year, countless migrants attempt the perilous Mediterranean crossing, with many tragically losing their lives in the process. Just last month, eight individuals, including six children, were found dead after another migrant boat sank off the coast of Samos.

Despite a noted decline in migrant arrivals since August 2023, numbers have surged again, with over 50,000 migrants having reached Greece by boat this year alone, making it the second busiest route in Europe after Italy. Data from the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) indicates that approximately 180,000 migrants have crossed into Europe by sea this year, with 2,000 lives lost or unaccounted for during these risky endeavors, and around 23% of arrivals being children.