The incident unfolded when the boat, traveling at high speeds, lost control during the escape and collided with a Greek patrol vessel. The Greek coastguard reported that 18 people were rescued from the sea, with many suffering injuries. Efforts to locate additional survivors involve helicopters and coastguard vessels in the vicinity.
This tragic occurrence marks another dark chapter in the ongoing Mediterranean migrant crisis. Each year, thousands perish while attempting to cross the Mediterranean in search of safety and a better life in Europe. Despite a temporary decline since August 2023, migrant arrivals in Greece have surged again, with more than 50,000 arriving this year alone. The troubling statistics from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) also reveal that approximately 180,000 migrants have attempted to cross into Europe by sea this year, with about 2,000 confirmed dead or missing during their perilous journeys. Among those arriving, around 23% are children, emphasizing the dire humanitarian aspect of the crisis.
This tragic occurrence marks another dark chapter in the ongoing Mediterranean migrant crisis. Each year, thousands perish while attempting to cross the Mediterranean in search of safety and a better life in Europe. Despite a temporary decline since August 2023, migrant arrivals in Greece have surged again, with more than 50,000 arriving this year alone. The troubling statistics from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) also reveal that approximately 180,000 migrants have attempted to cross into Europe by sea this year, with about 2,000 confirmed dead or missing during their perilous journeys. Among those arriving, around 23% are children, emphasizing the dire humanitarian aspect of the crisis.
