Seven Dead, 23 Rescued in Greece Migrant Boat Tragedy

Seven people, including two children, died on Thursday when an inflatable boat carrying migrants capsized off the Greek island of Lesbos, the coast guard reported.

Initially, four bodies were recovered, but further searches led to the discovery of three more victims. Authorities confirmed that 23 people were rescued, while efforts continue to locate any additional survivors.

The vessel, carrying around 30 migrants, sank in mild weather near the Turkish coast. Among the deceased were four women, a boy, and a girl, while the identities of the others remain unknown.

Greece remains a key transit point for migrants attempting to reach Western Europe. The UN recorded nearly 2,500 migrant deaths last year in the region, with over 54,000 arrivals in 2024 and nearly 9,000 so far this year.

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Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently reiterated the country’s tough stance on illegal migration, warning that unauthorized entries would not be tolerated.