Six migrants including baby die as speedboat crashes into coast guard near Lesvos

Six migrants including baby die as speedboat crashes into coast guard near Lesvos The speedboat, which was carrying migrants, crashed as it was attempting to leave Turkey's western coast towards Lesvos, a Greek island next to the Turkish coast Six people including a baby have died following a crash between a speedboat and a coast guard vessel in Greece. The incident took place around midnight last night roughly 3.5 nautical miles from Agrilia, Lesvos - a Greek island next to the Turkish coast. Those who lost their lives are an infant, four men and a woman. Eight other passengers on the speedboat - four men, two women and two children - were rescued from the sea and taken to hospital. According to a coast guard statement, the speedboat, which was carrying migrants, crashed as it was attempting to leave Turkey's western coast towards Lesvos. It collided with the coast guard vessel's bow on the left side and capsized. A large-scale rescue operation followed, taking place throughout the night. Three coast guard patrol boats and a Greek air force helicopter were sent to the area. Among those rescued is a Turkish national aged 37, who has reportedly been identified as the smuggler of the foreign nationals on the speedboat. He has been arrested. The coast guard confirmed that all those on board have been found. The circumstances of the crash continue to be investigated. Greece's shipping minister, Vassilis Kikilias, said the country has "zero tolerance for traffickers", calling them "ruthless criminals". In a statement on X, he said: "The tragedy that unfolded last night in the maritime area of Lesbos fills us with sorrow and rage. "Six people lost their lives, including an infant, due to the criminal actions of modern-day human traffickers. As all evidence so far indicates, the trafficker's speedboat collided with its bow on the left side of the Coast Guard vessel. "The exact circumstances of the collision are under investigation. Our stance is non-negotiable: zero tolerance for traffickers. "To these ruthless criminals who, in order to get rich, do not hesitate to lead desperate people, families, and innocent children to their deaths."