A speedboat carrying migrants has capsized off the eastern Greek island of Rhodes, leaving eight dead and 18 rescued, Greek authorities say.
The coast guard said the incident occurred while the speedboat was carrying out “dangerous manoeuvres” to try to evade a patrol vessel, causing migrants to fall into the sea.
A rescue effort was under way on Friday involving coast guard vessels and a helicopter as it was unclear whether other passengers were missing.
Rhodes, one of several large Greek islands located near the coast of Turkey, is on a busy illegal smuggling route in the eastern Mediterranean.
It was the second deadly incident involving migrants in the past week, as authorities in Athens brace for a spike in arrivals as a result of wars in the Middle East.
Seven migrants were killed and dozens are believed to be missing after a boat partially sank south of the island of Crete at the weekend – one of four rescue operations during which more than 200 migrants were rescued.
The search south of Crete around the tiny island of Gavdos was called off Wednesday.
The number of migrants travelling illegally to Greece is expected to top 60,000 in 2024, with Syrians making up the largest number, followed by Afghans, Egyptians, Eritreans and Palestinians, according to government data.
https://thewest.com.au/news/eight-migrants-dead-after-boat-collision-off-greece-c-17153208
