Four dead after migrant boat sinks off Lesvos coast
The vessel sank early in the morning near the area of Geras, in southern Lesvos, during rough sea conditions, with winds reaching up to 7 on the Beaufort scale and waves as high as 1.5 metres. The boat is believed to have struck rocks close to the shore during its perilous journey.
The Hellenic Coast Guard rescued 34 survivors, all of whom managed to reach the shoreline and were subsequently transferred to the Closed Controlled Centre for Migrants at Kara Tepe, near the island’s capital, Mytilene.
According to AMNA, authorities confirmed that both the deceased and the rescued individuals are of African origin. The identities and nationalities of the victims have not yet been released.
An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances of the incident, which highlights once again the deadly risks faced by migrants attempting to cross into Europe via the Aegean Sea.
The eastern Aegean islands, particularly Lesvos, continue to be a key entry point for asylum seekers fleeing war, persecution, and poverty, despite increasingly harsh weather conditions and heightened patrols along the maritime border.
