A high-speed collision between a Greek Coast Guard vessel and a speedboat smuggling migrants killed 15 people and left dozens injured late Tuesday, in a chaotic interception that authorities say resulted in severe blunt-force trauma rather than drownings.
The death toll rose to 15 on Wednesday morning after one survivor succumbed to injuries. Authorities confirmed the fatalities included 11 men and four women.
The crash off the island of Chios also exacted a grim toll on the survivors. Two pregnant women, among the 25 people hospitalized, lost their unborn babies due to injuries sustained in the impact.
Four other migrants remain in serious condition with critical injuries, including ruptured livers and spleens. The injured group includes eight girls and four boys.
Two Coast Guard officers were treated for minor injuries.
Officials said the collision occurred when the smuggling speedboat, spotted near Myrsinidi beach, executed dangerous maneuvers to evade capture and rammed the patrol vessel. Authorities categorically denied early reports of gunfire, attributing all casualties to the force of the crash.
Search-and-rescue operations continued at dawn Wednesday, with volunteer divers and an Air Force helicopter scouring the waters for potential missing passengers.
The disaster highlights the perils of the surging migration route from Turkey, which has seen over 15,000 arrivals this year. Opposition parties have demanded an investigation into the operational circumstances of the tragedy.