At least eight refugees and migrants drowned off the coast of Rhodes, Greece, on Thursday after their speedboat capsized during a pursuit by Greek coast guard authorities, Al Jazeera reports.
The incident, which has sparked renewed criticism of Greece’s migration policies, resulted in the rescue of 18 others.
According to a coast guard statement, the speedboat was attempting to land near Afandou Beach on the island’s eastern coast when it was intercepted. The driver allegedly lost control of the vessel while attempting to evade the coast guard, causing it to capsize and several passengers to fall overboard. Eight bodies were recovered from the water, while a Hellenic Air Force helicopter assisted in the search for additional survivors. The exact number of people initially aboard the boat remains unknown.
Greek media outlet Kathimerini reported that the speedboat collided with the coast guard vessel during the chase, and that the boat’s driver has been arrested. The incident comes amidst a significant increase in migrant and refugee arrivals to Greece this year. The Ministry of Migration and Asylum reported a 25 percent overall rise in arrivals, with a 30 percent increase specifically in the Rhodes and southeast Aegean regions.
This tragedy follows a series of deadly incidents in recent months. In late November, nine people – including six minors and two women – perished after two separate boat sinkings near the islands of Samos and Lesbos. Earlier this month, another five people died in a sinking near Crete.
The Greek coast guard has faced repeated accusations from asylum seekers and humanitarian organizations of employing aggressive tactics that endanger lives. Allegations include capsizing boats through towing attempts or efforts to prevent landings. These concerns are amplified by a European Union report which uncovered evidence of human rights abuses, including allegations of sexual and other violence against children, within recently constructed, EU-funded refugee camps on the Greek Aegean islands.
