At least 15 killed as migrant speedboat and coast guard vessel collide off Greece

At least 15 people have died after a speedboat carrying migrants and a coast guard patrol vessel collided – 14 bodies were pulled from the waves and another woman later died in hospital

At least 15 people have died after a migrant speedboat and a coast guard patrol vessel collided off the eastern island of Chios, Greece.

The incident triggered an urgent search and rescue mission in the surrounding waters. Patrol craft and divers scoured the sea whilst a helicopter swept overhead searching for survivors.

Authorities confirmed that 14 bodies – comprising 11 men and three women – were pulled from the waves, reports the Mirror..

A further 25 migrants, including roughly 11 children, were plucked to safety and rushed to a Chios hospital, alongside two coast guard personnel hurt in the tragedy.

One of the wounded women subsequently passed away at the medical facility, coastguard officials confirmed.

Greek maritime authorities stated it remained unclear precisely how many individuals had been aboard the speedboat, prompting the extensive search for any potentially missing passengers.

Video footage aired by local media showed at least one casualty being carried in a blanket from a moored coast guard vessel on a jetty towards a waiting emergency vehicle with flashing blue lights, whilst others appeared to guide two youngsters towards the car.

No additional details have emerged regarding the exact circumstances of the collision.

Michalis Giannakos, chief of Greece’s public hospital workers’ union, revealed that medical staff at the Chios facility were placed on high alert to cope with the sudden surge of casualties and remained prepared for potentially more arrivals.

Speaking on Greece’s Open TV channel, Mr Giannakos disclosed that several of the wounded required urgent surgical treatment.

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