A devastating maritime incident has resulted in the deaths of at least 14 migrants after their speedboat collided with a Hellenic Coast Guard vessel near the Greek island of Chios on Tuesday evening. The tragedy occurred in the turbulent waters of the Chios Strait, close to the coastal village of Vrontades, during what authorities describe as a high-risk pursuit operation.
According to official statements from Greek maritime authorities, the migrant vessel was executing dangerous maneuvers attempting to evade interception when the collision occurred. The circumstances leading to the impact remain under investigation as the coastguard has not yet released comprehensive details about the sequence of events.
Search and rescue operations continued through the night with an extensive deployment of resources. The mission involved four coastguard vessels, a privately owned boat carrying civilian divers, and a helicopter scouring the area for survivors. Twenty-four individuals were successfully rescued from the waters, though many sustained serious injuries requiring immediate medical attention. Authorities indicate that additional passengers remain unaccounted for, suggesting the final death toll may rise.
Among the injured are seven children, a pregnant woman, and two coastguard officers, according to reports from Greece’s state broadcaster ERT. The death count was initially reported at four fatalities but escalated dramatically when ten additional bodies were recovered approximately two hours after the incident, bringing the confirmed mortality to 14.
This tragedy represents one of the deadliest recent incidents in the ongoing European migrant crisis, highlighting the extreme dangers faced by those attempting irregular sea crossings to reach European territory. The Aegean Sea route between Turkey and Greece remains a particularly perilous passage despite increased surveillance and interception efforts by European authorities.
