A tragic incident occurred early Thursday morning when a migrant boat sank off the coast of Lesbos, Greece, resulting in at least seven deaths, including two children. The Greek coast guard reported that the boat, carrying around 30 people, capsized in the Aegean Sea at around 2 a.m. despite calm waters. The cause of the accident remains unknown, but many migrant boats are often overcrowded or in poor condition, making such disasters common.
According to the Greek coast guard, a patrol vessel detected the sinking boat north of Lesbos and quickly launched a rescue operation. Initially, four bodies were recovered, but three more were found later as the search continued. So far, 23 people have been rescued, and authorities are still looking for possible survivors. The rescue effort involves three coast guard vessels, an air force helicopter, and several nearby boats.
The victims include four women and two children, a boy and a girl, while details about the seventh person have not been released. Officials have not yet confirmed the nationality of the migrants. The boat reportedly departed from Turkey, a common route used by migrants trying to reach Greece. The eastern Mediterranean crossing is known to be dangerous, with frequent accidents due to the unsafe conditions of the boats used for these journeys.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reports that 125 people have been recorded as dead or missing in the eastern Mediterranean in 2024 alone. In March, at least one migrant died, and 18 others were rescued in a similar incident when smugglers abandoned them mid-journey to avoid detection. Many migrants rely on human traffickers who often use unsafe methods to transport them.
Lesbos has seen a significant increase in migrant arrivals this year. Since January, more than 1,000 migrants have landed on the island, and nearly 9,000 have entered Greece, most of them by sea. In 2024, Greece recorded over 60,000 migrant arrivals—54,417 by sea and 7,702 by land—marking a sharp rise compared to previous years. In 2023, there were 41,561 arrivals by sea and 7,160 by land. The numbers were even lower in 2022, with 12,758 sea arrivals and 6,022 land entries, while 2021 recorded just 4,331 sea arrivals and 4,826 by land.
The ongoing migrant crisis has put pressure on Greek authorities, who continue to face challenges in managing the influx. Many migrants fleeing conflict, poverty, and persecution seek safety in Europe, making Greece a key entry point. However, the dangers of these journeys remain high, with overcrowded and unseaworthy boats leading to frequent tragedies at sea. As search operations continue, authorities hope to find more survivors and prevent further loss of life.