A dramatic incident unfolded off the coast of Farmakonisi on Saturday night, where a speedboat operator smuggling migrants deliberately threw three people—including two children—into the sea during a high-stakes pursuit by Greek authorities.
The Hellenic Coast Guard reports that the smuggler’s actions, aimed at evading capture and fleeing toward Turkish waters, led to the death of one refugee and placed two minors in grave danger.
Deadly Escape Attempt
According to the Coast Guard, the incident began when a speedboat carrying undocumented migrants attempted to outrun a patrol vessel near Farmakonisi. In a desperate bid to escape, the operator intimidated 16 passengers into jumping overboard, then intentionally dumped three others—a man and two children—into the water. The 16 who jumped managed to reach shore and were later rescued by a Coast Guard vessel. Meanwhile, members of the Special Missions Unit dove into the sea, retrieving the man and the two minors, all unconscious.
Despite heroic efforts by Coast Guard personnel and a military doctor on the island, the man could not be revived and was pronounced dead at the Leros Health Center. The two children, after intensive resuscitation attempts, regained consciousness. Along with their mother, they were initially treated at the Leros Health Center before being airlifted to the Children’s Hospital in Athens for further care.
Rescue and Response
The remaining migrants were transported by Coast Guard vessel to Agia Marina port and then transferred to the Closed Controlled Structure on Leros. The Coast Guard’s account highlights the perilous risks faced by migrants exploited by smugglers in the Aegean, as well as the swift response of Greek authorities in the face of such crises.
Ongoing Concerns
The incident underscores the dangerous tactics employed by human traffickers operating between Turkey and Greece, often with tragic consequences. As investigations continue, the Hellenic Coast Guard has reiterated its commitment to border security and humanitarian rescue efforts in the region. For the international Greek community, this serves as a stark reminder of the challenges at the nation’s maritime frontiers.
(Source: To Vima)