19.10.2026 11:34
Off the coast of the Greek island of Lesbos, a speedboat carrying migrants from the Turkish coast collided with a Greek coast guard vessel and capsized, killing 6 people, including 1 baby. Eight people, 2 of them children, were rescued and taken to hospital. A 37-year-old Turkish citizen among the survivors was detained on suspicion of piloting the boat and migrant smuggling. An investigation into the exact cause of the collision is ongoing.
A speedboat carrying migrants collided with a Greek coast guard vessel while trying to cross to Lesbos. Six people on the capsized boat could not be saved.
COLLIDED SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT
According to a statement by the Greek Coast Guard Command, the accident occurred approximately 3.5 nautical miles south of the Agrilia area of Lesbos Island shortly after midnight. The speedboat, which was heading from the Turkish coast toward Lesbos, capsized after the collision. In search and rescue efforts launched in the area, the bodies of 4 men, 1 woman, and 1 baby were recovered.
SURVIVORS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL
Eight people survived the accident, including 4 men, 2 women, and 2 children. The survivors were first brought to Lesbos Port and then taken to hospital. The Greek Coast Guard Command announced that no one was missing in the area. The nationalities of the migrants who died and those rescued were not disclosed.
TURKISH CITIZEN DETAINED
The Greek authorities detained a 37-year-old Turkish citizen who was among the survivors. Officials alleged that the suspect was steering the boat and engaging in migrant smuggling.
“ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SMUGGLERS”
Greek Maritime Minister Vassilis Kikilias, in a statement on his social media account, held migrant smugglers responsible for the deaths. Kikilias claimed that initial findings showed the bow of the speedboat struck the left side of the coast guard vessel, and said:
“The tragedy that occurred last night in the sea region of Lesvos fills us with deep sorrow and anger. Six people lost their lives, including a baby; these losses occurred because of the criminal actions of modern-day people smugglers. All data so far show that the smuggler’s speedboat struck the left side of the Coast Guard boat with its bow. The exact circumstances of the collision are being investigated. Our position is indisputable: zero tolerance for smugglers. We will show no tolerance for these heartless criminals who, in order to accumulate wealth, do not hesitate to drive desperate people, families, and innocent children to their deaths.”
INVESTIGATION ONGOING
An investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the collision. No statement was made regarding how many people were on the boat at the time of the accident. Greece continues to be one of the main entry points for migrants seeking to reach Europe from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. During the migration crisis of 2015-2016, approximately 1 million people crossed from Turkey to the Greek islands.