Six migrants died in the waters south of Agrielia on the island of Lesvos after a speedboat carrying foreign nationals collided with a Hellenic Coast Guard vessel.
According to reports, six people — four men, one woman and an infant — were found unconscious about 3.5 nautical miles from the coast.
A search-and-rescue operation continued throughout the night under the coordination of Greece’s Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC). The operation concluded early Monday morning with eight people rescued from the same speedboat: four men, two women and two children.
A floating ambulance, a Hellenic Coast Guard vessel, three patrol boats and a Hellenic Air Force helicopter took part in the operation. A private vessel operated by the Hellenic Rescue Team also rushed to the area.
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The Hellenic Coast Guard announced the arrest of a 37-year-old Turkish national accused of smuggling migrants. All those rescued were taken to Mytilene Hospital for first aid.
As part of the investigation, authorities arrested the 37-year-old, who is suspected of involvement in smuggling the migrants aboard the speedboat.
The circumstances surrounding the collision off Mytilene are under investigation by the relevant authorities.