KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Greek authorities have confirmed the deaths of at least eight Afghan nationals after a migrant boat capsized on Friday near Rhodes, an eastern Greek island close to the Turkish border.
The boat overturned while attempting to evade a patrol ship, a maneuver that ended in disaster, according to the Associated Press.
Greek Coast Guard officials reported on Saturday that 18 survivors—12 men, three women, and three minors—all Afghan citizens, were rescued. It was confirmed that the deceased were also from Afghanistan.
Some of the survivors were hospitalized, with one reported in critical condition. Among the arrests were two Turkish nationals, aged 12 and 19, who have been charged with human smuggling.
Rescue operations by the Greek Coast Guard are ongoing as they search for additional survivors or victims.
This incident marks the second deadly migrant boat accident in Greek waters within a week, underscoring the escalating risks faced by migrants attempting to cross into Europe.
The situation is part of a broader migration crisis. According to Greek government projections, over 60,000 migrants are expected to attempt illegal crossings into Greece this year, with Syrians forming the largest group, followed by Afghans, Egyptians, Eritreans, and Palestinians.
Afghan migrants, in particular, often take dangerous routes through Turkey, using Greece as a primary gateway to reach other European countries. Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, Afghanistan has plunged into an economic, humanitarian, and human rights crisis, pushing many to flee.
The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has recorded 11,874 migrants arriving in Italy via sea routes in 2023, many of whom originate from conflict-stricken countries like Afghanistan. The Central Mediterranean route, infamous for its treacherous conditions, has claimed over 20,000 lives since 2014, making it the deadliest migration route in the world.
