Twelve migrants, including an infant, died in two separate boat incidents off the Greek islands of Samos and Lesbos on Monday, October 19, according to Greek authorities.
Six people died in each incident, while coast guard crews rescued a total of 22 survivors. Two suspected migrant smugglers were arrested.
Six Migrants Dead off Samos
The first incident occurred approximately 3.7 nautical miles north of Samos, where a speedboat carrying migrants capsized.
According to the Greek coast guard, the vessel was initially detected traveling at high speed in Turkish territorial waters before entering Greek waters.
Authorities said the boat overturned following a sharp maneuver, throwing its passengers into the sea. Five men and one woman were found dead, while 14 men were rescued.
An Iranian national was arrested on suspicion of operating the boat and facilitating illegal migrant transportation. Coast guard vessels and an air force helicopter participated in the rescue operation. Searches continued for possible missing passengers.
Infant Among Victims off Lesbos after Collision with Coast Guard Boat
In a separate incident near Agrilia, off southeastern Lesbos, six migrants, including an infant, died after a speedboat collided with a Greek coast guard patrol vessel and overturned. According to the coast guard, the migrant boat was traveling without navigation lights when the collision occurred during a pursuit.
Eight people survived, including two children, and were taken to Vostanio Hospital in Mytilene. Authorities arrested a 37-year-old Turkish national suspected of operating the speedboat and transporting the migrants.
Shipping Minister Vassilis Kikilias said preliminary findings indicated that the speedboat’s bow struck the left side of the coast guard vessel. The circumstances of the collision remain under investigation. Authorities reported no additional missing passengers off Lesbos.
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