12 migrants killed in two shipwrecks in the Aegean
Twelve migrants, including an infant, have died in two separate shipwrecks off the Greek islands of Samos and Lesbos in the eastern Aegean, according to the Hellenic Coast Guard.
The incidents involved migrant boats travelling from the Turkish coast towards Greece. Rescue operations were launched following both shipwrecks, with survivors taken to safety and, in the Lesbos incident, to hospital in Mytilene.
Six dead after speedboat capsizes off Samos
Six people died and 14 were rescued after a speedboat carrying migrants capsized approximately 3.7 nautical miles north of Samos.
According to the Hellenic Coast Guard, the vessel was travelling at high speed and was initially spotted by a Turkish coast guard vessel in Turkish territorial waters before being detected by a Greek Coast Guard patrol boat in Greek waters.
The speedboat capsized following a sudden manoeuvre, triggering a search and rescue operation coordinated by Greece’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre.
A Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel, a rescue boat and an Air Force helicopter were deployed to the area.
Weather conditions were reported to be favourable, and the search and rescue operation was continuing, according to the initial report.
Six more victims in shipwreck off Lesbos
Earlier, another six migrants — four men, a woman and an infant — died when a speedboat capsized off Agrilia, approximately 3.5 nautical miles from the southeastern coast of Lesbos.
The incident occurred shortly after midnight on Sunday, according to the Hellenic Coast Guard.
Authorities said the speedboat, travelling from the Turkish coast towards Lesbos, struck the left side of a Greek Coast Guard vessel with its bow before capsizing.
Eight migrants — four men, two women and two children — were rescued during the subsequent operation and taken to the port of Mytilene before being transferred to hospital.
A 37-year-old Turkish national, identified by authorities as the alleged smuggler and operator of the speedboat, was arrested.
The Coast Guard said there were no missing persons following the incident.
Rescue operations highlight dangers of migrant crossings
The two shipwrecks have once again highlighted the risks faced by migrants attempting to cross the Aegean Sea from Turkey to the Greek islands.
The latest incidents resulted in 12 deaths, including that of an infant, while survivors required rescue and medical assistance.
Greek authorities are continuing to document the circumstances surrounding the incidents and the role of those suspected of organising the crossings.
Source: Hellenic Coast Guard, as cited in the reports provided.
