A tragic accident occurred in the eastern Aegean Sea on Tuesday night when a migrant boat collided with a Greek Coast Guard patrol vessel, resulting in the deaths of at least 14 people. The Greek authorities confirmed the incident, stating that the migrant boat was overcrowded and extremely small.
The Coast Guard had been chasing the vessel, and the collision caused the migrant boat to sink rapidly. A large-scale rescue operation was launched immediately, with Coast Guard vessels, a private boat carrying civilian divers, and a helicopter involved in the efforts.
As of the latest reports, 24 people have been rescued alive, including seven children, a pregnant woman, and two Coast Guard officers. However, 14 bodies have been recovered, and the number of missing persons remains unclear.
The Greek state broadcaster ERT reported that several of the rescued individuals are seriously injured. The exact cause of the collision is yet to be determined by the Coast Guard.