The lifeless bodies of eight migrants, including six innocent children, were pulled out from the waters off the Greek island of Samos after their boat capsized, according to a Greek coastguard.
At least 40 people were rescued by authorities during an operation in the Aegean Sea involving aircraft and vessels, the authorities said but
an official said a non-governmental organisation alerted authorities, and that it was believed that about 50 people were aboard the vessel.
Strong winds had complicated rescue efforts.
Greece’s migration minister, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, had released a statement saying, the incident “fills us with sadness and anger”, while also promising to crack down on people-smugglers.
Samos is located just off the Turkish coast and has since been a regular destination for migrants attempting to reach European soil.
Over 50,000 migrants arrived in Greece by boat so far this year, making it the second most used European migrant route – coming second after Italy.
Since August 2023, migrant arrivals had been steadily declining but it increased again this summer, according to data from United Nations refugee agency, (UNHCR).
It is estimated that 160,000 migrants arrived in Europe by sea so far this year, agency figures revealed, adding that 2,000 people were also reported dead or missing.
It was also said that about 23 percent of arrivals were children.
