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Officials in Greece have confirmed the recovery of eight bodies, including six children after a boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of Samos.

Something you should know before you read: Over the last three years, Greece has seen a significant uptick in migrant crossings, with the majority arriving by sea from Turkey and Libya. These journeys often involve overcrowded, poorly maintained boats, leading to frequent disasters in the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. In 2024 alone, over 54,000 migrants have entered Greece, making it the second most common destination in southern Europe after Italy.

What’s the deal: According to police in Greece, a migrant boat carrying an estimated 50 people sank off the northern coast of Samos, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals, including six children and two women. Rescuers managed to save 36 people from the sea, while three others were found stranded on a rocky area of the island. The identities and nationalities of the passengers remain unknown, and it is unclear whether additional individuals are still missing. The search and rescue operation, supported by navy ships, helicopters, and land teams, is continuing amid challenging weather conditions.

Officials react: In a statement, Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs Christos Stylianides said, “I would like to express my deep sorrow for the loss of eight lives, including six young children. This tragic incident highlights the criminal actions of trafficker networks and their accomplices, who, driven by profit, disregard the lives of innocent people, including small children. The management of migratory flows and the fight against the criminal networks of traffickers requires systematic and joint cooperation at the maritime borders between Greece and Turkey, which has already begun and is yielding tangible results.”

He added, “The non-negotiable goal of the ministry, the Coast Guard and myself personally is to put an end to this unacceptable trafficker system. We are determined to tackle – and we will tackle – the major issue of illegal immigration, which is now beyond the capacity of the European Union as a whole.”