A Greek coastguard ship takes part in the search and rescue operation off Samos

At least eight people, including six children, have died after a migrant boat sank off the Greek island of Samos, according to the Greek coastguard. Approximately 40 individuals were rescued in a challenging operation in the Aegean Sea, involving both vessels and aircraft, hampered by strong winds. Authorities were alerted by a non-governmental organization and believe around 50 people were on board the vessel when it capsized.

The tragedy has drawn sharp criticism from Greece’s migration minister, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, who expressed sadness and anger over the loss of life while vowing to intensify efforts against people-smuggling networks. Samos, located close to the Turkish coastline, has long been a hotspot for migrants attempting to reach Europe.

This year, more than 50,000 migrants have arrived in Greece by boat, making it Europe’s second most-used migrant route after Italy. While arrivals had been declining since late 2023, they surged again during the summer months, according to the UNHCR. Across Europe, approximately 160,000 migrants have reached the continent by sea this year, with nearly 2,000 reported dead or missing. Children account for about 23% of these arrivals, highlighting the scale of the humanitarian crisis.