(ANSA-AFP) - ATHENS, DEC 20 - Greece's coastguard on Friday
said at least eight people had drowned during the pursuit of a
smuggling speedboat that sank in the Aegean Sea. The coastguard
said the speedboat had capsized as it attempted to flee, adding
that another 18 people had been rescued. A coastguard statement
said that the boat driver had "lost control" while attempting to
evade a Greek patrol vessel. The incident occurred near the
island of Rhodes, opposite the Turkish coast on a route
frequently used by migrant smugglers. Coastguard vessels and a
helicopter were looking for survivors. Greece has seen a
25-percent increase this year in the number of migrants
arriving, with a 30-percent increase to Rhodes and the southeast
Aegean, according to the migration ministry. Several similar
accidents have occurred in recent weeks. In late November, nine
migrants, including six minors and two women, died after two
boats sank in separate incidents near the islands of Samos and
Lesbos. (ANSA-AFP).
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