Twelve migrants tragically drowned in two separate incidents near the Greek islands of Lesbos and Samos on Monday, following boat capsizes during a coast guard pursuit. The Greek coast guard reported that five men and one woman lost their lives when a speedboat carrying migrants from Turkey made a sudden maneuver and overturned approximately four nautical miles north of Samos. Fourteen men were rescued, and a search-and-rescue operation was initiated. Authorities arrested one survivor, an Iranian national, on suspicion of involvement in migrant smuggling.
Earlier, another incident occurred off Agrilia in Lesbos, where four men, a woman, and an infant died after their boat collided with a Greek coast guard vessel. Eight survivors were taken to the hospital, and a 37-year-old Turkish national, identified as the suspected smuggler and operator of the boat, was also arrested.
The Greek government has pledged a “zero tolerance” policy towards migrant smugglers, attributing the recent fatalities to their actions. Shipping Minister Vassilis Kikilias indicated that the speedboat struck the coast guard vessel, and investigations into the circumstances are ongoing. Greece, a primary entry point for migrants from various regions, has faced criticism from human rights organizations regarding its treatment of migrants, which the government denies, asserting that its coast guard operates with respect for human rights.
