Diver Describes Severe Head Trauma in Chios Migrant Boat Collision as Death Toll Hits 15

Overview

• Authorities say 15 people died and 26 were injured, including 11 children and two coast guard officers, with searches continuing for any missing three days after the incident off Chios.
• A recovery diver said he found 12 bodies inside a semisubmerged inflatable speedboat that, in his account, had not capsized, and he described most victims as having devastating head injuries.
• Judicial authorities have opened an investigation as the exact sequence of events remains unclear, with the total number of people originally on board still unknown.
• The coast guard says the speedboat ignored stop signals and suddenly changed direction into the patrol vessel; officials acknowledged the patrol boat’s camera was not recording, citing its limited usefulness at close range.
• All but one of the surviving passengers identified so far are Afghan nationals, and a Moroccan man has been arrested on suspicion of migrant smuggling.