ALBAWABA- Eighteen migrants died early Saturday when their overloaded vessel capsized in rough seas south of the Greek island of Chrysi, the Hellenic Coast Guard said.
The wooden boat, carrying an estimated 30–40 people from Syria, Egypt, and sub-Saharan Africa, overturned after striking a submerged reef amid high winds.
All 18 victims were recovered by midday. Two men in their 30s were rescued with severe hypothermia and flown to a hospital in Ierapetra, Crete, where they remain in stable condition. Survivors said the hull began taking on water shortly before the vessel flipped, with overcrowding and panic accelerating the disaster.
A major search operation, deploying Coast Guard patrol vessels, a Frontex aircraft, and local fishing boats, swept a 20-square-kilometer area but found no additional survivors as the wreck sank in waters more than 100 meters deep.
Authorities said the boat had not been detected earlier, with the first alert coming from debris spotted during a routine patrol.
Chrysi, a small islet south of Crete, has seen multiple deadly incidents this year, with more than 50 migrants lost since September.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis offered condolences and pledged €2 million in support for victims’ families while vowing to intensify investigations into smuggling networks.
