Medical staff on the Greek island of Chios described frantic efforts to identify the parents of injured children after a collision between a Greek coast guard patrol boat and a migrant speedboat left at least 15 people dead and more than two dozen injured.
The crash occurred late Tuesday off the island’s eastern coast. The bodies of 11 men and three women were recovered from the sea, while a woman who had been hospitalised later died.
Twenty-four people, including 11 children, remained hospitalised on Wednesday, along with one injured coast guard officer, officials said.
Pediatrician Kirykas Zannikos said one of the most distressing challenges was locating parents of injured children aged between 1 and 15.
“On the pediatric side, one problem we had was finding the parents,” he said, visibly emotional.
Hospital staff said injuries included broken bones, head and abdominal trauma, with three patients in intensive care. Two pregnant women also suffered miscarriages.
Authorities said most passengers were believed to be Afghan nationals. A Moroccan man who was injured was ordered arrested on suspicion of migrant smuggling.
An extensive search and rescue operation involving patrol boats and a helicopter continued, as it remained unclear how many people had been on board.
Maritime Affairs Minister Vassilis Kikilias blamed smugglers, saying, “Our sorrow for the loss of 15 human lives in Chios is unspeakable,” and pledged an investigation “with transparency and professionalism.”
President Constantine Tassoulas said state support for survivors would be “unwavering.”
The coast guard said the speedboat had no navigation lights, ignored signals to stop, changed course and collided with the patrol vessel before capsizing. The account has not been independently verified.
The UN refugee agency said it was “deeply saddened” by the incident, noting that between 2015 and 2025, 3,148 people died or went missing in the Aegean, and called for greater efforts to prevent dangerous crossings and address their root causes.
Source: AP News.
