Authorities are investigating the exact circumstances behind the sinking of a Frontex vessel off the coast of Castellorizo, Greece. The incident occurred in open waters near the island’s port—known locally as Megisti—and has raised questions about navigation safety in the area. A maritime alert was issued yesterday afternoon after reports emerged of the vessel going down just outside Castellorizo’s harbor.
The vessel carried five people, including Karin Rannu, Estonia’s ambassador to Greece, and a member of Greece’s Hellenic Coast Guard. A Coast Guard patrol boat and a privately operated Cypriot-flagged catamaran responded immediately to the scene. All five individuals were rescued from the water in time.
Shortly after the evacuation, an explosion occurred aboard the vessel—likely caused by fuel—prompting its rapid submersion within less than half a minute.
Two Leading Scenarios Under Investigation
Coast Guard investigators are now examining all possible causes, with two scenarios emerging as most plausible: grounding on a shallow reef (a ‘dry’ or uncharted shoal), or a navigational error during maneuvering.
In the latter case, attention is focused on the small islet of Psarodia—located just meters off Castellorizo’s shoreline—where jagged rocks pose a known hazard to vessels operating at close range. Investigators are assessing whether the vessel was navigating near Psarodia when an incorrect turn or miscalculated approach led to impact.
Mayor Confirms Proximity to Port, Rules Out Known Hazards
Nikolaos Asvestis, mayor of Castellorizo, spoke to newisit.gr about the incident. He confirmed that the vessel was returning from a coastal surveillance tour—part of a concluding visit by an Estonian Frontex team stationed on the island—and was only around 300–400 meters from the harbor of Megisti when it capsized under unclear conditions.
“We had a Frontex delegation from Estonia wrapping up their mission here,” he said. “The ambassador wanted to see firsthand the work of her country’s team, so they took her out by boat to observe key monitoring points. On their way back—and very close to port—the vessel overturned. We don’t yet know if it struck something or if there was a handling error.”
He added: “There are no dangerous reefs officially recorded in this area.”
Injuries Reported, No Fatalities
Two individuals sustained serious injuries—one with head trauma whose condition has since stabilized, and another in serious but stable condition. The remaining three suffered minor injuries, including abrasions and bruises. Crucially, all five had evacuated the vessel before the explosion occurred.