Greek Coast Guard Vessel Collides with Migrant Boat, Kills At Least 14 People

Greek Coastguard Reports Collisions with Migrant Boat in Aegean Sea

A collision between a Greek coastguard vessel and a migrant boat occurred on Tuesday evening, resulting in the deaths of at least 14 people. The incident took place off the coast of Chios’s Mersinidi area, near the island of Chios.

According to reports, a speedboat carrying migrants and asylum seekers collided with the coastguard vessel around 9pm local time. The Greek coastguard reported that 26 people were rescued from the migrant boat and taken to a hospital in Chios for treatment. The number of people on board the migrant boat is not yet known.

Seven children and a pregnant woman are among those injured, according to reports. A search-and-rescue operation involving patrol boats, a helicopter, and divers is currently underway in the area.

The incident occurred as part of ongoing efforts by Greece’s coastguard to manage migration flows from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The country has implemented various policies aimed at reducing migrant arrivals, including tightening border controls and sea patrols.

In recent years, Greece has faced scrutiny over its treatment of migrants and asylum seekers approaching by sea. The European Union’s border agency is currently reviewing 12 cases of potential human rights violations in Greece, although the country denies any wrongdoing.

Source: Al Jazeera