Tragic Collision Claims Lives of 14 Migrants off Chios

Thu Feb 05 2026 00:01:52 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A fatal incident involving a speedboat carrying migrants and the Greek coastguard has resulted in 14 deaths near the island of Chios.

In a disturbing maritime accident, at least 14 migrants lost their lives after a speedboat collided with a Greek coastguard vessel off the coast of Chios. The collision occurred during a pursuit, with reports of dangerous maneuvers by the migrant boat. Rescue efforts were launched, resulting in 24 individuals being saved, while efforts to locate missing persons continue.

At least 14 migrants have died after a speedboat carrying them collided with a Hellenic Coast Guard vessel off the coast of the island of Chios late on Tuesday.

Greek authorities said the speedboat was making dangerous manoeuvres and that a pursuit was under way at the time of the collision in the Chios Strait, near the village of Vrontades.

Twenty-four people were rescued, some of whom were seriously injured, and others are reportedly still missing.

The coastguard has not yet clarified the exact circumstances around the collision.

A search and rescue operation was ongoing on Tuesday night, which involved four coastguard vessels, a privately owned boat carrying civilian divers, and a helicopter.

Greek state broadcaster ERT said the injured included seven children, a pregnant woman, and two coastguard officers.

Four deaths were initially reported but an update issued at 23:00 local time (21:00 GMT) said ten additional bodies had been recovered, bringing the confirmed death toll to 14.

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