According to the statement, the operator of the speedboat initially failed to comply with the light and sound signals of the Coast Guard vessel and instead changed course, after which the speedboat collided with the starboard side of the Coast Guard patrol vessel.

“As a result of the force of the collision, the speedboat capsized and sank, causing all those on board to fall into the sea,” the statement said.

Protothema.gr correspondent Marinos Aleiferis is reporting live from Chios.

On-site report from Chios

According to competent sources, the inflatable speedboat that struck the Coast Guard vessel was approximately 8 meters long and was carrying at least 39 migrants.

The same sources stated that the collision occurred 1.5 nautical miles off Chios, clearly within Greek territorial waters. It is also noted that, according to new information, none of the migrants was wearing a life jacket.

Nationality of migrants – No gunfire

According to statements from survivors so far, all passengers on board the speedboat were Afghan nationals, except one Moroccan, who is currently under investigation.

It is also clarified that, contrary to reports that circulated, no gunfire occurred.

Fatalities and injuries

The Coast Guard statement confirms that the death toll stands at 15, with 14 bodies (11 men and 3 women) recovered from the sea, while one woman died in hospital after being transferred in critical condition.

A total of 25 foreign nationals (7 men, 7 women, and 11 minors) were rescued and transferred injured to Skylitseio Hospital of Chios. Two members of the Coast Guard crew were also taken to the same hospital; the male officer has been discharged, while the female officer remains under observation.

Search and rescue operation

A search and rescue operation is ongoing, involving:

• Four Coast Guard vessels
• One private vessel with civilian divers
• An Air Force helicopter

Official Coast Guard statement

According to the Hellenic Coast Guard:

“During the evening hours yesterday, an inflatable patrol vessel of the Hellenic Coast Guard, conducting a scheduled patrol, detected an inflatable speedboat carrying foreign nationals moving without navigation lights toward the eastern coast of Chios, in the sea area of Myrsinidi.

The operator of the speedboat failed to comply with light and sound signals and instead changed course, resulting in a collision with the starboard side of the Coast Guard vessel. Due to the force of the impact, the speedboat capsized and sank, causing all passengers to fall into the sea.”

Under the coordination of the Joint Rescue Coordination Center, an immediate search and rescue operation was launched. Four Coast Guard patrol vessels, a private vessel with divers, and two Air Force helicopters participated.

During the operation, 25 injured migrants were rescued and transported to the port and then to Skylitseio Hospital. One woman later succumbed to her injuries. Fourteen bodies were recovered at sea and transferred to the hospital for autopsy, bringing the total number of fatalities to 15.

A preliminary investigation is being conducted by the Central Port Authority of Chios, while searches for possible missing persons continue.

Condition of the injured

Four migrants are in critical condition, suffering severe injuries to vital organs and the head, including liver rupture, pneumothorax, kidney and spleen rupture, and traumatic brain injuries.

According to the hospital’s director, five patients have undergone surgery. Currently hospitalized are six women, seven men, and twelve minors, ten of whom are aged 15 or under and are being treated in the pediatric ward.

At present, no injured patient is considered to be in a life-threatening condition.

According to EKAB (National Emergency Aid Center), two pregnant women are among those hospitalized. Doctors confirmed that both fetuses are deceased, while the women themselves are out of danger.

Among the injured Coast Guard officers, the male officer suffered a dislocated shoulder, while the female officer sustained a concussion.