Athens, Greece - A tragic incident unfolded on Friday when the Greek Coast Guard opened fire on a speedboat carrying migrants, resulting in the death of one man. The coast guard claims the shooting occurred after the speedboat attempted to ram their patrol vessel to evade capture.
The confrontation took place northwest of the island of Symi, a frequent destination for migrants seeking entry to Europe from Turkey. According to the coast guard statement, the speedboat, carrying 13 other migrants, ignored repeated orders to stop and engaged in dangerous maneuvers, ultimately attempting to ram the Greek vessel. It remains unclear whether the deceased individual was piloting the speedboat at the time of the incident.
Following the shooting, the remaining 13 migrants on board were unharmed and transported to Symi. Authorities have not yet confirmed if any arrests were made related to migrant smuggling.
This incident sheds light on the perilous journeys undertaken by thousands of migrants hoping to reach Greece's Aegean islands each year. Smuggling rings often facilitate these journeys, and confrontations with the Greek Coast Guard are not uncommon.
Data from the UN Refugee Agency reveals that nearly 30,000 migrants have arrived in Greece through irregular means this year. While slightly lower than figures reported in Italy and Spain, these arrivals, primarily comprising Afghan, Syrian, and Egyptian nationals, highlight the ongoing challenges faced by Greece as a key entry point for migrants seeking refuge in Europe.