An escalating pursuit of a speedboat carrying migrants by a Coast Guard vessel occurred Monday off Symi.

Specifically, in the marine area of Marathounta, the coast guard vessel spotted a speedboat landing migrant and after using light and sound signals to stop it, but to no avail, a chase ensued. The pilot of the speedboat made dangerous maneuvers, and attempted to ram the boat of the coast guard, resulting in the injury of the driver-trafficker, who was eventually transferred to the Health Center of Symi and from there to the General Hospital of Rhodes, where he remains hospitalized.

On land, 21 foreigners were found, who had set off from Bozburun, Turkey, paying the sum of 4,500 euros each for their transportation to Symi.

The speedboat sank.

The Coast Guard update

At noon yesterday, a patrol boat (PPS) of the L.S.-EΛ.AKT. in the framework of a planned patrol, spotted a high-speed (T/X) boat disembarking people near the bay of Marathounta Symi. The VMS used light and sound signals to stop the vessel, with negative results.

A pursuit ensued with the pilot of the T/C vessel making repeated dangerous maneuvers and attempts to ram the patrol boat. Two (02) warning shots were fired in a safe area with negative results and subsequently two (02) aimed shots were fired at the T/C’s engine. The speedboat slowed down and executed a turnaround striking the starboard side of the T/C, resulting in the T/C’s airframe being broken and immobilized.

The crew of the patrol boat L.S.-EL.AKT. found that the foreigner needed medical care due to his wound and first aid was provided. He was then transferred to the Health Centre of Symi and from there he was transferred to the General Hospital of Rhodes, where he remains hospitalized.

At the same time, searches were carried out from the shore in the area by members of the Port Authority, where twenty-one (21) foreigners were found and transferred to the Port Authority of Symi. The foreigners had departed from Bozburun, Türkiye and had paid the sum of 4,500€ each for their transportation to Symi. The speedboat sank. A preliminary investigation is being carried out by the Central Port Authority of Symi.