28 Migrants Found Abandoned on Kalolimnos After High-Speed Chase with Smugglers

11:01 22/10/2024 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

A dramatic high-speed chase unfolded on Sunday afternoon off the coast of Kalolimnos Island, Greece, after a speedboat carrying 28 migrants was intercepted by the Hellenic Coast Guard.

The incident resulted in injuries to two Coast Guard officers and the apprehension of a suspected smuggler.

The migrants

were discovered abandoned on Kalolimnos Island after being dropped off by the speedboat, which then sped towards Kos.

A Coast Guard vessel gave chase, pursuing the fleeing boat to the nearby island of Gyali. In a reckless attempt to evade capture, the speedboat, with two individuals on board, engaged in dangerous maneuvers, ultimately ramming the Coast Guard vessel and injuring two officers.

The impact of the collision threw the speedboat's assistant operator overboard, briefly knocking him unconscious. A Coast Guard officer bravely jumped into the sea to rescue the unconscious man, who later regained consciousness after receiving medical attention.

The damaged speedboat was immobilized by the collision and sank shortly after. The operator of the speedboat was arrested and faces multiple charges including human smuggling, endangering life, and illegal entry into the country.

All three injured individuals – the two Coast Guard officers and the assistant operator – were transported to a hospital in Kos for treatment. One officer sustained a head injury and required initial treatment on Nisyros before being transferred to Kos General Hospital.

The 28 migrants who were initially abandoned on Kalolimnos Island were safely rescued and transported to Kos port, where they were handed over to Coast Guard authorities. An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

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