Six migrants including infant die in boat collision near Greece

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 19 Oct, 10:07 · Archive

Six migrants, including an infant, died when a speedboat collided with a Greek coast guard vessel approximately 3.5 nautical miles south of Agrilia on the island of Lesvos early on Monday. The dead comprised four men, one woman and an infant. Eight survivors, including four men, two women and two children, were rescued from the sea and taken to hospital.

The speedboat was attempting to travel from Turkey's western coast to Lesvos when the collision occurred. According to the coast guard, the speedboat struck the left side of the coast guard vessel with its bow, causing it to capsize. A large-scale rescue operation involving three coast guard patrol boats and a Greek air force helicopter was conducted throughout the night.

A 37-year-old Turkish national recovered among the survivors has been arrested and identified as the suspected smuggler operating the boat. Greece's shipping minister Vassilis Kikilias said the country maintains 'zero tolerance for traffickers', calling them 'ruthless criminals'. He stated that evidence so far indicated the trafficker's speedboat collided with the coast guard vessel, though the exact circumstances remain under investigation.

How it is being reported

• Infant among twelve migrants dead after boats capsize off Greek islandsThe government vowed ‘zero tolerance’ towards migrant smugglers, whom it blamed for the deathsIndependent World · 19 Oct, 12:31
• Greece: At least 12 die in migrant drownings overnightAuthorities say 12 people, including an infant, have drowned in Greek waters in two separate incidents overnight. Another 22 people were rescued. A search-and-rescue operation is ongoing.DW News · 19 Oct, 11:19
• Six migrants including baby die as speedboat crashes into coast guard near LesvosThe speedboat, which was carrying migrants, crashed as it was attempting to leave Turkey's western coast towards Lesvos, a Greek island next to the Turkish coastThe Mirror · 19 Oct, 09:47
• Infant among six migrants dead after boat collision near GreeceGreece has long been a favoured gateway to Europe for migrants and refugees from the Middle EastIndependent World · 19 Oct, 08:05

In this story: Lesvos · Greece · Turkey · Vassilis Kikilias

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem