In the early hours of Thursday, a tragic incident occurred in the Aegean Sea when a boat transporting migrants from Turkey to a Greek island capsized, resulting in the deaths of at least seven individuals, which included three children. This was confirmed by Greece’s coast guard. Simultaneously, Turkish authorities reported a separate mishap in the same vicinity, claiming nine lives. Reports suggest that the accidents happened several hours apart within the narrow sea passage between the Greek island of Lesbos and the Turkish coastline, with neither country aware of the other’s rescue endeavors.
According to Greek officials, the vessel, an inflatable dinghy, was in distress and began taking on water. Rescue operations managed to save 23 migrants, while the bodies of three women, two boys, a girl, and a man were retrieved. The survivors have been relocated to a migrant camp on the island. Throughout Thursday afternoon, search and rescue missions pressed on due to the uncertainty regarding the exact number of individuals aboard the dinghy. The weather conditions in the area were reportedly favorable, although the national background of those involved was initially unknown.
Meanwhile, in Turkey, a statement from the Canakkale governor’s office indicated that the Turkish coast guard received a distress call from another migrant boat. Subsequently, three rescue boats and a helicopter were dispatched. It was reported that nine bodies were recovered, and one person remained missing, while 25 individuals were successfully rescued.
Greece remains a significant entry point into the European Union for people escaping wars and poverty-stricken regions in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Many migrants undertake the short, albeit dangerous, journey from the Turkish coast to Greek islands on inflatable boats or small vessels. These boats are often unfit for sea travel or embark during rough weather, leading to frequent fatalities.
The Greek government has tightened maritime patrols, causing smuggling networks to adjust their routes, opting to use larger boats from North Africa to the southern parts of Greece. Last year, over 54,000 migrants traveled through the eastern Mediterranean route toward Greece, and upwards of 7,700 crossed Greece’s minor land boundary with Turkey. According to the United Nations refugee agency, there were 125 migrants reported dead or missing during these endeavors.
As of March 30, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees reported more than 8,000 sea arrivals and 755 land entries into Greece since the onset of 2025.