Twelve migrants died in two boat accidents in the Aegean Sea

Off Greek islands Twelve migrants die in boat accidents in the Aegean Sea as of: October 19, 2026 • 2:07 p.m

Two boats carrying migrants crashed off the Greek islands of Samos and Lesbos within a few hours. According to authorities, at least twelve people died. A suspected smuggler was arrested.

A total of twelve people were killed in two incidents involving refugee boats in the Aegean. Both accidents occurred off Greek islands that are close to the Turkish coast.

In the morning, six refugees died off the island of Samos. "A boat with migrants sank and six people could only be rescued dead," said the Greek coast guard. The boat apparently capsized after a sharp maneuver. 14 of the passengers were rescued.

A speedboat with migrants on board collided with a coast guard ship off the Greek island of Lesbos at night, the media reported, citing the authorities. Six people were also killed, including an infant. Eight people were rescued and the exact course of the accident is to be investigated. A Turkish passenger is considered a suspected smuggler and has been arrested.

Human rights activists point to a similar collision off the island of Chios in February. 15 refugees died. At the time, survivors accused the coast guard of sailing over people without warning. The Coast Guard denies this.

With information from Moritz Pompl, ARD Studio Athens

This topic in the program: tagesschau.de | 12 dead in two ship accidents | Oct 19, 2026 | 1:48 p.m