Behind a gray tarp held up by police and ambulance workers at Rhodes’ main port, the bodies of migrants were carried into an ambulance. A speedboat had capsized that Friday morning off the eastern Greek island, and eight people were dead, Greek authorities said.
The coast guard said the boat was carrying out “dangerous maneuvres” to evade a patrol vessel when migrants fell into the sea. Rescue workers on three coast guard vessels and a helicopter searched near Afantou Beach, a resort area in the northeast of the island. Authorities said it was unclear whether any other passengers were missing.
Shipping Minister Christos Stylianides said a child was among the dead. Two survivors were arrested on people smuggling charges. Eight survivors were taken to hospital, local officials said, and one was in critical condition, according to state-run television.
Stylianides blamed smugglers. “Tragically, once again, the ruthless trafficking network has sacrificed eight human lives today, including a young child, in pursuit of illegal profit,” he said. He added: “We are determined to resolutely address the major problem of illegal migration that has exceeded the European Union’s capacity to cope.”
A busy route
Rhodes is one of several large Greek islands close to the coast of Türkiye, on a busy illegal smuggling route in the eastern Mediterranean.
The coast guard said 120 people were rescued in three separate incidents off Greek islands in the previous 24 hours. Authorities in Athens are preparing for a rise in irregular arrivals because of the continuing conflicts in the Middle East.
It was the second deadly migrant incident in a week. Over the weekend a boat partially sank south of Crete, killing seven, and dozens are believed to be missing. That was one of four rescue operations in which more than 200 people were saved. The search around the small island of Gavdos was called off on Wednesday.
Government data suggest more than 60,000 irregular migrants will reach Greece this year. Syrians make up the largest group, followed by Afghans, Egyptians, Eritreans and Palestinians.
