Migration Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos expressed deep sorrow and anger over the tragic shipwreck in Samos, which claimed the lives of eight innocent victims, including six children.
On Monday, nine migrants, including six minors and two women, perished when two boats capsized in separate incidents in the Aegean Sea, according to the Greek coastguard. The coastguard reported that nearly 40 people were rescued on Samos island, and a search for additional survivors continued amid harsh weather conditions.
Panagiotopoulos took to X to share his sentiments, stating, "The shipwreck in Samos, with eight innocent lives lost, including six children, fills us with sadness and anger." He further emphasized the need to confront the ruthless criminals involved in human smuggling, asserting, "The coastguard rescued nine people, but the smuggling rings, these merciless criminals who trade human lives, will face our determined efforts to eradicate them."
The incident took place north of Samos, a common route for people smugglers. Meanwhile, on the island of Lesbos, the coastguard discovered the body of a man and rescued 26 individuals. The survivors indicated that there were no other passengers on board, as confirmed by port authorities.
Greece has experienced a 25% increase in the number of people fleeing war and poverty this year, with a 30% surge specifically to Rhodes and the south-east Aegean, according to the migration ministry. Several similar accidents have occurred in recent weeks, with the most recent in early November when four people died near the island of Rhodes. In late October, two people died near Samos, and a few days earlier, four more, including two infants, lost their lives near the island of Kos.
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