The Greek Coast Guard initiated a large-scale search and rescue operation Thursday after a migrant boat capsized near the island of Lesbos, leaving at least seven dead, including two children.

Details of the Incident

The vessel, carrying around 30 people, overturned en route from the Turkish coast to Lesbos under unclear circumstances. Despite calm weather conditions, water reportedly flooded the boat, causing it to sink.

Coast Guard officials confirmed that 23 individuals were rescued, while the bodies of seven victims—four women, a boy, and a girl—were recovered. The nationalities of those on board remain unknown, and authorities continue to search for possible missing persons.

Ongoing Search Efforts

The operation involves three Coast Guard vessels, an Air Force helicopter, and assistance from nearby boats. A spokesperson stated, “The search is ongoing, both at sea and along the shoreline, to ensure no survivors are left unaccounted for.”

Rising Migrant Deaths in the Aegean

Greece, a key entry point for migrants and refugees heading to Europe, has seen a surge in dangerous crossings. The UN estimates that over 2,500 people died or went missing in the Mediterranean last year alone.

So far in 2025, nearly 9,000 migrants have reached Greece, mostly by sea—following over 54,000 arrivals in 2024. The Greek government, under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has vowed stricter border controls, emphasizing that those entering illegally will be returned.

“Smugglers and the NGOs aiding them will not decide who enters Greece,” Mitsotakis declared in parliament Wednesday, reinforcing his administration’s hardline stance on migration.

This latest tragedy highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region as desperate journeys continue despite the risks.