A speedboat carrying migrants capsized off the Greek island of Rhodes on Friday morning, resulting in eight deaths and 18 people being rescued, according to Greek authorities.
The coast guard reported that the speedboat was performing “dangerous maneuvers” to evade a patrol vessel, causing the passengers to fall into the sea.
Rescue operations are ongoing, involving coast guard vessels and a helicopter, as it is not clear if more passengers are missing.. Rhodes, located near the coast of Turkey, is part of a frequently used smuggling route in the eastern Mediterranean.
This was the second fatal incident involving migrants in a week. Over the weekend, seven migrants died, and many are believed to be missing after a boat partially sank south of Crete. This was one of four rescue operations during which more than 200 migrants were saved. The search near the island of Gavdos, south of Crete, was called off on Wednesday.
Greek authorities estimate that more than 60,000 migrants will arrive illegally in the country this year, with Syrians forming the largest group, followed by Afghans, Egyptians, Eritreans, and Palestinians.
