Chios: What the Coast Guard Says About the Tragedy with 15 Dead Migrants

Ongoing investigations are underway to determine what preceded the tragedy that unfolded late on the night of Tuesday, February 3, off the coast of Chios, when a Coast Guard vessel collided with a speedboat carrying migrants.

According to the available information, the toll is at least 15 dead and 24 injured. However, the toll may be higher, as the search operations will intensify at first light, continuing throughout the night.

In the photograph released by the Coast Guard, the vessel shows signs of damage to the front and right side, and more answers about what really happened will be obtained from video footage from the ship’s cameras. The search and rescue operation continues by sea and air, involving patrol boats from the Coast Guard, private vessels, rescuers, and a Super Puma helicopter, which conducts flights with thermal cameras to locate any survivors. A relevant air navigation advisory (NOTAM) has been issued to facilitate operations, and there remains an increased mobilization of forces from nearby islands.

What the Coast Guard Claims About the Incident – Its Statement

The Coast Guard issued its first official update about the incident and what preceded the collision with the speedboat.

In the statement, the Coast Guard states:

“Last night, a patrol boat of the Hellenic Coast Guard (HCG) conducting a scheduled patrol spotted a speedboat (T/X) carrying foreign nationals moving without navigation lights towards the eastern coasts of Chios, in the Mersinidi area. The operator of the T/X did not comply with the light and sound signals from the HCG patrol boat, instead reversing direction, leading to a collision of the T/X with the right side of the HCG vessel. Due to the severity of the collision, the T/X overturned and sank, causing all passengers to fall into the sea.

Under the coordination of the Unified Search and Rescue Coordination Center (ESKED) of the HCG, an immediate search and rescue operation began. Four HCG patrol boats and one private boat with civilian divers participated in the operation. Two helicopters of the Air Force also participated in the operation. A total of twenty-five (25) foreign nationals (7 men, 7 women, and 11 minors) were rescued by a Coast Guard patrol boat, injured, and transported to the port, where they were transferred to the Skilitsio Hospital.

Subsequently, one woman died. Two members of the Coast Guard crew (1 man and 1 woman) were also taken to the hospital. The man has already been discharged, while the woman remains hospitalized for further examination. During the search, two Coast Guard patrol boats located and recovered 14 bodies (11 men and 3 women). The bodies were transferred to the port and then to the Skilitsio Hospital for autopsy. In total, the bodies amount to fifteen (15).

An investigation is being conducted by the Central Port Authority of Chios. The search for potentially missing foreign nationals continues with five (5) Coast Guard patrol boats, and a Coast Guard helicopter has also taken off. Any developments will be announced in a further press release. Attached is relevant photographic material of the Coast Guard patrol boat, showing the collision point on the right side.”

The Fates of Two Pregnant Women

Fourteen bodies were retrieved from the sea—11 men and 3 women—while a fourth woman died at the General Hospital of Chios, where she was transported, severely injured with head and brain injuries.

Additionally, 24 injured individuals—7 men, 6 women, and 11 children—were transferred to the hospital. Three of them underwent surgery due to injuries to vital organs. Two pregnant women will also undergo surgery as it was found that their fetuses were dead.

In the collision, two Coast Guard officers (a man and a woman) were lightly injured and transferred to the hospital in Chios for first aid. The man suffered injuries to his upper limbs, while the woman sustained a mild concussion.

The collision occurred under unclear circumstances when a Coast Guard patrol boat, which had departed from Oinousses, spotted the migrant boat. According to information, the Coast Guard signaled for the boat to change course. A confrontation reportedly occurred between the traffickers on the boat, leading to the boat’s collision with the Coast Guard vessel, throwing people into the sea and causing fatal injuries at the Mersinidi area.