Greek Coast Guard shots dead 1 migrant during confrontation in Aegean Sea
Coast guard fired 'warning shots,' followed by 'targeted shots' at speedboat carrying irregular migrants to immobilize vessel, say Greek authorities
File photo
ISTANBUL
One irregular migrant was killed during a confrontation between a Greek Coast Guard patrol vessel and a speedboat near the island of Symi in the Aegean sea, the Greek Coast Guard said on Friday.
The incident occurred when a coast guard patrol vessel spotted and pursued a speedboat carrying migrants, according to the statement.
The speedboat tried to evade capture, performing dangerous maneuvers and ramming the patrol vessel, Greek authorities said.
The coast guard said "warning shots" were then fired, followed by targeted shots at the speedboat's engine to immobilize it.
During a subsequent search, a 39-year-old man was found "fatally injured, likely from a bullet," it said.
The body, believed to be that of a migrant, was taken to the island of Rhodes for an autopsy.
Fourteen foreign nationals, including five minors, were on board the speedboat, and two individuals were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking, it added.
