Smugglers throwing migrants off speedboats in Aegean Sea to avoid arrest, says Greek coast guard

The Greek authorities report serious clashes between the coast guard and people smugglers. Migrants are forced into the water by the latter. In another case, a refugee dies from gunfire.

Smugglers Throwing Migrants off Speedboats in Aegean Sea to Avoid Arrest, Says Greek Coast Guard

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Smugglers ferrying migrants from Turkey to Greece's eastern islands have in two cases adopted the new and dangerous tactic of knocking some passengers off their speedboats into the sea to avoid capture by pursuing coast guards, Greek authorities say.

Smuggling gangs are increasingly using speedboats in the Aegean to bring migrants to Europe. To evade the coast guard, they throw people into the water.

Smugglers Throwing Migrants Off Speedboats in Aegean Sea to Avoid Arrest

Smugglers ferrying migrants from Turkey to Greece's eastern islands have adopted the new tactic of knocking passengers off their speedboats.

Smugglers ferrying migrants from Turkey to Greece's eastern islands have used a new and dangerous tactic in two cases: they threw some of the passengers overboard from their speedboats to make it easier for them to escape when chased by coast guard boats, Greek authorities said.