Shortly after midnight on Saturday there was a collision at sea near the Corinth Gulf Isthmia between a small fishing boat carrying two Greek nationals and the yacht Barents, close to the ancient port of Cenchreae. One of the two men on board the boat died in the collision, while the second was found injured and taken by ambulance to Corinth General Hospital.

According to initial information, one of the two injured men was transferred unconscious, while the other is being treated for fractures.

The collision occurred when the Malta-flagged yacht, approximately 50 metres long and carrying six passengers and 11 crew members, struck the small boat.

The two men on the boat are reported to have been out fishing at the time. Authorities are investigating whether the small vessel was carrying the required navigation lights, a point expected to form part of the preliminary inquiry.

The two men were initially picked up by the yacht’s tender before being brought ashore, where they were met by paramedics from the National Centre for Emergency Care (EKAB).

Following the accident, a prosecutor ordered the arrest of the yacht’s captain under Greece’s expedited procedure for offences committed in the act.

Standard tests are also expected to be carried out, including blood and urine samples for toxicology screening and a breathalyser test, in order to establish the full circumstances surrounding the collision.

The yacht has a Greek crew, while coast guard authorities continue to gather evidence and testimony to clarify the exact causes of the tragedy.