In an official statement, the Hellenic Coast Guard provided details about the tragic incident that claimed 15 lives last night off Chios:
“During the evening hours yesterday, an inflatable patrol vessel of the Hellenic Coast Guard, conducting a scheduled patrol, spotted an inflatable speedboat with foreign nationals aboard moving without navigation lights toward the eastern shores of Chios, in the sea area of Myrsinidi. The operator of the speedboat did not comply with the light and sound signals from the patrol vessel. Instead, he reversed course, which led to a collision of the speedboat with the right side of the patrol vessel. Due to the severity of the impact, the speedboat capsized and sank, resulting in all passengers falling into the sea.
Under the coordination of the Unified Search and Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) of the Hellenic Coast Guard, a search and rescue operation was immediately launched. Four Coast Guard patrol vessels and one private vessel with civilian divers participated in the operation. Two Air Force helicopters provided aerial support.
A total of twenty-five (25) foreign nationals (7 men, 7 women and 11 minors) were rescued injured by a patrol vessel and transported to the port, from where they were taken to Skylitseio Hospital. Subsequently, one woman among them died. Two crew members of the patrol vessel (1 man and 1 woman) were also taken to the hospital.
The male coast guard officer has already been discharged, while the female officer remains hospitalized for further examination. During the search operations, two patrol vessels located and recovered a total of 14 bodies (11 men and 3 women). The bodies were transported by patrol vessels to the port and subsequently to Skylitseio Hospital for autopsy. The total number of fatalities is fifteen (15).
A preliminary investigation is being conducted by the Central Port Authority of Chios. Search operations for possible missing foreign nationals continue with five Coast Guard patrol vessels, while a Coast Guard helicopter has also been deployed. Any developments will be announced in a subsequent press release. Attached is photographic material of the Coast Guard inflatable patrol vessel, showing the point of impact on the right side.”
