Chios: Diver Shaken After Recovering 12 Bodies from Migrant Tragedy

A diver who participated in the rescue operation following the deadly maritime collision near Chios described harrowing scenes on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Fifteen people died after a fast boat carrying migrants and refugees collided with a Hellenic Coast Guard vessel off Chios’ eastern coast. Diver Vangelis Kyriothras told chiosin.gr that he and fellow divers recovered 12 bodies from the submerged, overcrowded 6-meter vessel—reportedly carrying around 40 people. ‘We lived tragic moments. Many bodies were inside the boat; most were retrieved by us. The condition was extremely tragic—indescribable in words,’ he said. He recounted finding severely disfigured faces and heads, confirming no signs of life among those recovered. Meanwhile, Moroccan national suspected of organizing the smuggling operation was arrested on prosecutor’s orders. Search operations continue by air and sea for possible missing persons. Twenty-two survivors—including women and children—are hospitalized in Chios, with ten children aged up to 15 treated in the pediatric unit. A 13-year-old boy underwent lengthy emergency surgery after sustaining multiple injuries. Two pregnant women are also hospitalized. The Coast Guard reported the migrant vessel was spotted during routine patrol, moving without lights toward Chios’ eastern shores. Its operator ignored visual and auditory warnings, reversed course, and struck the Coast Guard vessel’s starboard side—causing the speedboat to capsize and sink instantly, throwing all passengers into the sea. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs ordered an official sworn administrative inquiry into the cause of the collision.