The Coast Guard is currently conducting a search to locate any missing persons in the waters off Agrilia, 3.5 nautical miles off the southeastern coast of Lesbos, following the capsizing of a speedboat carrying foreign nationals, with a current death toll of six and 14 people rescued.
According to the latest reports, the six deceased migrants include four men, one woman, and one infant, while the 14 survivors are Syrians and Palestinians (four men, two women, and two children). Reports indicate that the nationalities of the deceased are the same. Among those rescued is the alleged smuggler.
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According to a statement from the Coast Guard, the shipwreck occurred when a speedboat traveling from the coast of Asia Minor toward Lesbos collided with the bow of a Coast Guard vessel on its left sideof a Coast Guard vessel operating in the area and capsized. Reports indicate that the Coast Guard vessel moved toward the speedboat after being alerted by coastal stations on the island. In response to signals sent by the Greek side as it approached the speedboat, the operator—who was identified as the smuggler of the foreign nationals—maneuvered to turn back toward Turkey. It then collided with the bow on the left side of the Coast Guard vessel and capsized.
According to the Coast Guard’s statement, there are no missing persons, and the weather at the time of the incident was good.
Meanwhile, seven of the eight survivors of the tragedy are being treated at Vostaneio Hospital in Mytilene. The survivors were transported to the hospital, and one of them has already been discharged.
One woman has sustained an orthopedic injury and may require surgery, while another survivor is in a more serious condition due to a head injury.
The rest are in better condition and are expected to be discharged, while the rescued child is being monitored in the Pediatric Clinic and the other patients in the Short-Term Care Unit.
Among the injured is a 37-year-old Turkish national, who is believed to be the smuggler of the foreign nationals and has suffered a fracture.
According to statements made by the survivors to port authorities, there are no missing persons, while the exact circumstances of the collision are under investigation.
The regional governor of the North Aegean, Konstantinos Moutzouris, in response to the tragic shipwrecks off Lesbos and Samos that resulted in the deaths of 12 people, made the following statement: “The tragedies in Lesbos and Samos, which claimed 12 lives—including an infant—cause deep sorrow and outrage. I express my sincere condolences to the victims and unequivocally condemn the ruthless traffickers, who, driven solely by profit, play with human lives and lead people to their deaths. Their criminal actions must be dealt with with the utmost severity.”
READ ALSO: Deadly tragedy off the coast of Lesbos: Six migrants dead after collision with a Coast Guard speedboat | AlphaNews
