In brief
On a tragic night near the island of Chios, 14 migrants lost their lives in a collision with a Hellenic Coast Guard boat. Authorities reported that the speedboat was attempting dangerous maneuvers, prompting a pursuit. Rescue operations have since recovered 24 survivors, including several injured individuals. The coast guard has yet to clarify the situation surrounding the incident, which included injuries to children and coast guard officers. Ongoing investigations are underway to understand the events leading to this heartbreaking incident.
At least 14 migrants have died after a speedboat carrying them collided with a Hellenic Coast Guard vessel off the coast of the island of Chios late on Tuesday.
Greek authorities said the speedboat was making dangerous manoeuvres and that a pursuit was under way at the time of the collision in the Chios Strait, near the village of Vrontades.
Twenty four people were rescued, some of whom were seriously injured, and others are reportedly still missing.
The coastguard has not yet clarified the exact circumstances around the collision.
A search and rescue operation was ongoing on Tuesday night, which involved four coastguard vessels, a privately owned boat carrying civilian divers, and a helicopter.
Greek state broadcaster ERT said the injured included seven children, a pregnant woman, and two coastguard officers.
Four deaths were initially reported but an update issued at 23:00 local time (21:00 GMT) said ten additional bodies had been recovered, bringing the confirmed death toll to 14.
