One of the divers that participated in a frantic search and rescue operation late Tuesday evening after the collision of a Greek coast guard fast patrol vessel with an overladen migrant boat described a shocking scene hours later.
Diver Vangelis Kyrithras spoke to the Greek national broadcaster (ERT) from the scene of the maritime disaster, roughly a mile from the eastern shore of the Aegean Island of Chios and 11 miles from the nearest Turkish coast and the resort of Cesme, where Greek authorities believe the overloaded craft began its perilous journey in the darkness and without any navigational lights on.
“At 9 (p.m.), we were informed that there had been an accident, without knowing what had happened. Two divers rushed to the scene and saw a damaged boat, half submerged, and unfortunately, with (dead) bodies on board. We transported 12 (bodies) onto the coast guard vessel and then to the port,” he said, visibly shaken.
He described the migrant boat as an inflatable craft of seven meters in length, able to carry 10 passengers in normal conditions, but loaded with 40. The rescue operation took roughly 45, he added.
Kyrithras also said he believed that the occupants that survived the collision jumped into the water before it sank.
UNHCR announcement
Meanwhile, in the wake of the latest deadly incident involving migrant smugglers in Greek waters, the United Nations’ refugee agency said it was deeply saddened by Tuesday’s incident. Fifteen people were reported dead, while another 24 survived, including women and minors. Several of the survivors, however, sustained serious injuries.
The entire group was identified as Afghanistan nationals, except for a lone Moroccan man, who was subsequently arrested and charged with migrant smuggling.
The “UNHCR extends its deepest condolences to the victims’ families and stands in solidarity with all those affected and with the actors, rescuers and all those assisting the survivors…personnel are present at the hospital, offering support to the survivors, including access to interpretation and legal services as needed.”
The same UNHCR announcement said that “…while the circumstances of the deadly incident are still being established…the importance of full clarity and transparency when incidents occur during lifesaving operations at sea. This is unfortunately not an isolated incident. Between 2015 and 2025, 3,148 people lost their lives or went missing at sea in the Aegean.”
Finally, the UN agency called on states, using a general term, “to do more to resolve conflict and address the other root causes that lead people to embark on dangerous journeys…”
