Tragic Aegean Journey: Greek Coast Guard Reports 12 Migrant Fatalities

A total of twelve migrants tragically lost their lives on Monday while attempting to navigate the perilous waters of the Aegean Sea, according to Greek authorities. Six of the deceased were discovered after their vessel was involved in a collision with a police patrol boat.

Among those who perished in the incident near the island of Lesbos were a baby and four women, a Greek coast guard official informed AFP. Their deaths followed the impact between a speedboat carrying migrants and the port side of a police patrol vessel. Eight individuals from this particular boat were successfully rescued.

Separately, another six individuals — five men and one woman — met their end when a smaller boat capsized off the coast of Samos island. From this capsized vessel, fourteen people were brought to safety, with one among them believed to be an Iranian organiser of the journey.

The Aegean Sea remains a frequently utilised but highly dangerous corridor for migrants embarking on journeys from Turkey with the aim of reaching Europe. This route has unfortunately been the site of numerous fatalities over the years. This recent tragedy echoes a similar event in September, where one person died and 25 others went missing after a migrant boat sank off the island of Gavdos, near Crete.