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Migrant Survivors Contradict Greek Coastguard Account
9 Feb
Summary
- Survivors dispute official account of a shipwreck that killed 15 Afghan migrants.
- Testimonies suggest the coastguard vessel did not warn or chase the migrant dinghy.
- The incident occurred off the island of Chios on February 3, 2026.
Survivors of a recent shipwreck off the Greek island of Chios have presented a different account than that provided by authorities. The incident on February 3, 2026, resulted in the deaths of 15 Afghan migrants, with 24 others rescued.
Official statements claimed the migrant dinghy ignored warnings and capsized after hitting the coastguard vessel. However, testimonies from three survivors reviewed by Reuters suggest otherwise. They reported no warnings from the coastguard and stated their boat was proceeding directly.
One survivor emphasized that they would have stopped if warned, especially with children aboard. The Greek coastguard has not commented on these new statements and has a history of denying allegations of illegal practices.
Migration Minister Thanos Plevris attributed the deaths to smugglers. A Moroccan man has been detained pending trial, accused of causing the crash. The investigation is hampered as the coastguard vessel's camera was not active.
