Greek doctors work to identify parents of injured migrant children after deadly collision

Medical staff on the Greek island of Chios struggled Wednesday to identify parents of injured children following a deadly collision between a coast guard patrol boat and a migrant-carrying speedboat that claimed at least 15 lives.

The nighttime collision off Chios’s eastern coast, near the Turkish mainland, has triggered an extensive search operation as authorities remain uncertain about the exact number of passengers aboard the speedboat. Coast guard vessels and a helicopter continue to scour the area, with initial information indicating most passengers were Afghan nationals.

“On the pediatric side, one problem we had was finding the parents,” said pediatrician Kirykas Zannikos, visibly emotional as he described the challenging situation. The injured children, ranging from 1 to 15 years old, were separated from their families in the chaos following the collision.

Greek authorities have arrested a Moroccan national, who was among the injured, on suspicion of migrant smuggling. The collision late Tuesday night resulted in the deaths of 11 men, four women, and injuries to 24 others, including 11 children. Two coast guard officers were also hurt in the incident, with one remaining hospitalized.

Hospital staff reported treating primarily broken bones, traumatic abdominal injuries, and head wounds. Three patients remain in serious condition in intensive care, and two pregnant women suffered miscarriages. The sudden influx of casualties prompted off-duty medical personnel, including administrative staff, to rush to the hospital to volunteer their assistance.

Olympia Kouvara, a hospital staff representative, recounted the heartbreaking story of an infant who clung to a medical worker while staff frantically searched for the child’s parents. “There are some times like these when we also break down,” Kouvara told local news outlet politischios. Despite initial fears that the parents might be among the deceased, the child’s mother was later identified as a patient in the surgical ward.

The Greek Coast Guard stated that one of its patrol boats encountered the speedboat traveling without navigation lights. According to their account, the speedboat refused to stop despite signals from the patrol boat and changed direction, ultimately colliding with the patrol vessel and capsizing. Photos released by the Coast Guard show abrasion marks on the patrol boat’s right side, though this account cannot be independently verified.

Maritime Affairs Minister Vassilis Kikilias expressed profound sorrow over the incident while placing blame on human smugglers. “Modern-day smugglers, traffickers, are the enemies of the country. They put human lives in mortal danger, both of those unfortunate people and of the members of the coast guard,” Kikilias said, promising a transparent investigation.

Greece has long been a major entry point into the European Union for people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The short crossing from Turkey to nearby Greek islands is fraught with danger, especially when attempted in overcrowded vessels or speedboats operated by smugglers.

In recent years, increased patrols by Greek authorities and allegations of pushbacks—summary deportations without allowing asylum applications—have reduced crossing attempts. However, tragedies at sea continue to occur with alarming frequency.

The European Union has been working to overhaul its migration system, with a focus on streamlining deportations and increasing detentions. “Every life lost at sea is a tragedy,” said EU spokesperson Markus Lammert. “At the hands of smugglers, too many people risk their lives and lose their lives, and this is exactly what we’re working on to prevent.”

The migration debate within the EU has shifted significantly over the past decade, with far-right parties gaining political power and migration policies hardening across the continent. Asylum application numbers have decreased from their peak levels, reflecting these policy changes and increased border enforcement.

Greek President Constantine Tassoulas expressed grief over the loss of life and promised “unwavering” support from the Greek state for the survivors, who now face the dual challenge of physical recovery and emotional trauma in the aftermath of this maritime disaster.