Migration & Borders
12 migrants die in Aegean crossings, Greece says
Greek authorities said Monday that 12 migrants died while trying to cross the Aegean Sea in two incidents, including six whose bodies were found after their boat collided with a police vessel off Lesbos.
The coast guard said a baby and four women were among the six people who died off Lesbos. A coast guard official said a speed boat carrying migrants collided with the port side of a police patrol vessel. Eight people were rescued.
In a second incident, the coast guard said six people — five men and one woman — died when a small boat capsized off Samos. Fourteen people were rescued from that boat, including one person described as a presumed Iranian organiser.
The Aegean is a widely used route for migrants crossing from Turkey and hoping to reach Europe. In September, one person died and 25 remained missing after a migrant boat sank off Gavdos, near Crete.
Update
Eight people were rescued after the collision off Lesbos.
Fourteen people were rescued after the boat capsized off Samos.
One of those rescued from the Samos boat was described as a presumed Iranian organiser.
The six people who died off Samos were five men and one woman.
A coast guard official said the migrant speed boat collided with the port side of a police patrol vessel off Lesbos.
Source note: AFP news report published on 19 October 2026 at 07:19:35 UTC.
Update
The coast guard said a baby and four women were among the six people who died off Lesbos.
The other six deaths were reported after a small boat capsized off Samos.
Source note: AFP news report published on 19 October 2026 at 06:39:34 UTC.
Update
Greek authorities said 12 migrants died in two accidents in the Aegean Sea.
Source note: AFP news report published on 19 October 2026 at 06:25:46 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The identities and nationalities of those who died were not given.
The full circumstances of the Lesbos collision and the Samos capsize were not established.
The status of the person described as a presumed Iranian organiser remains unconfirmed.
Source
AFP news report published on .