Seven Dead, 23 Rescued In Migrant Boat Tragedy Off Greece

Seven Dead, 23 Rescued In Migrant Boat Tragedy Off Greece

On Thursday, seven individuals, including two children, lost their lives, and 23 others were rescued when an inflatable boat carrying migrants capsized near the Greek island of Lesbos, according to the coast guard.

Initially, the coast guard reported four bodies recovered from the Aegean Sea. However, following further searches by patrol boats, three additional bodies were discovered, a spokeswoman confirmed to AFP….READ MORE….

The vessel, carrying approximately 30 people, capsized in calm weather conditions, not far from the coast of neighboring Turkey. According to the coast guard, the boat began taking on water and eventually sank. Search efforts are ongoing to locate any potential survivors.

Among the deceased were four women, a boy, and a girl, while details regarding the other three victims, including their nationalities, remain undisclosed.

Due to Greece’s strategic location in southeastern Europe, situated in the eastern Mediterranean, its islands frequently serve as transit points for undocumented migrants from Asia and the Middle East aiming to reach western Europe. Tragically, fatal incidents are common during these risky crossings. The United Nations reported that nearly 2,500 migrants lost their lives in similar incidents last year.

In a separate incident last month, Greek maritime authorities reported that one migrant died and 18 others were rescued after smugglers abandoned them while attempting to cross from Turkey.

According to the UN refugee agency, nearly 9,000 migrants have entered Greece since the beginning of this year, mostly by sea. In 2024, the agency recorded over 54,000 entries.

Greece’s conservative administration has recently taken a tougher stance on migration. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized in parliament that illegal entry into Greece would not be tolerated and vowed to take necessary actions to return those not entitled to asylum. He further stated that smugglers and associated NGOs would not influence the country’s immigration policies.