ATHENS — At least eight Afghan migrants died after a speedboat carrying migrants capsized off the eastern island of Rhodes, the Associated Press reported.
Authorities said the speedboat overturned as it attempted to evade a coast guard patrol vessel. Eighteen people were rescued, including 12 men, three women, and three minors, all of whom were Afghan nationals.
Several survivors were hospitalized, with one reported to be in critical condition.
Two Turkish nationals, aged 23 and 19, were arrested as suspected traffickers, according to officials. The vessel sank after capsizing, the coast guard said.
This is the second fatal migrant incident in Greek waters in a week. Last weekend, seven people died and dozens were reported missing after a boat partially sank south of the island of Crete. In that operation, which was one of four recent rescues in the area, more than 200 migrants were saved.
A search around the tiny island of Gavdos, south of Crete, was called off Wednesday.
The number of migrants crossing illegally into Greece is expected to exceed 60,000 this year, according to government data. Syrians represent the largest group, followed by Afghans, Egyptians, Eritreans, and Palestinians.
