By Shumaila Aslam
Scandinavian news Finland
Bureau Chief Pakistan
15 Migrants Die in Aegean Sea After Boat Collision Near Greece
At least 15 migrants lost their lives in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Greece after their boat collided with a Greek coast guard vessel, highlighting once again the dangers of irregular migration routes in the region.
The incident occurred near the Greek island of Chios, located just a few miles from the Turkish coast, a known crossing point for migrants attempting to reach Europe.
What Happened Near Chios Island
According to initial reports, a Greek coast guard vessel spotted a dinghy carrying migrants traveling toward Chios. Authorities ordered the boat to turn back, following standard maritime procedures.
However, instead of complying, smugglers operating the boat attempted to maneuver toward the coast guard vessel, leading to a violent collision at sea. The impact caused the boat to capsize, resulting in multiple casualties.
Rising Deaths Along Aegean Migration Routes
The Aegean Sea remains one of the most dangerous migration routes in Europe. Migrants often travel in overcrowded and unstable boats, risking their lives to escape conflict, poverty, or persecution.
Key Factors Behind These Tragedies:
- Human smuggling networks exploiting migrants
- Dangerous sea conditions
- High-speed chases and confrontations at sea
- Overloaded inflatable boats
Human rights organizations have repeatedly warned about the growing death toll along Mediterranean and Aegean migration routes.
Smuggling Networks and Migration Pressure
Smugglers often take extreme risks to avoid interception, putting migrants in deadly situations. These networks prioritize profit over human life, forcing migrants into unsafe vessels with little chance of survival during emergencies.
The collision near Chios raises renewed concerns over:
- Border enforcement tactics
- Search and rescue responsibilities
- International cooperation on migration
International Response and Ongoing Concerns
Organizations such as the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and International Organization for Migration (IOM) continue to call for:
- Safer and legal migration pathways
- Stronger action against human smugglers
- Enhanced maritime rescue coordination
Summary
The deaths of 15 migrants in the Aegean Sea near Greece underscore the deadly risks associated with irregular migration. As long as smuggling networks operate and safe migration routes remain limited, such tragedies are likely to continue.
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