Symi: Shots fired during a chase of a speedboat with migrants - Greek boat bombed, trafficker injured

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Symi: Shots fired during a chase of a speedboat with migrants - Greek boat bombed, trafficker injured

naftemporiki.gr | 6 August 2024

Newsroom

Symi: Shots fired during a chase of a speedboat with migrants - Greek boat bombed, trafficker injured

An incidental chase of a speedboat with migrants occurred off Symi.

According to the Coast Guard, the vessel's patrol boat made use of light and sound signals to immobilize the vessel, with negative results. A pursuit ensued with the pilot of the speedboat making repeated dangerous maneuvers and attempts to ram the patrol boat.

Based on the Coast Guard statement, this was followed by 2 warning shots in a safe area with negative results and then 2 aimed shots at the engine of the speedboat.  Subsequently, the speedboat slowed down and performed a U-turn, striking the starboard side of the Coast Guard vessel, resulting in the breaking of the airlock of the speedboat and immobilizing it. The speedboat sank.

The crew of the Coast Guard patrol boat found that the foreign pilot of the speedboat was in need of medical attention due to his wound and was given first aid. He was then transferred to the Symi Health Centre and from there he was evacuated to the General Hospital of Rhodes, where he remains hospitalised.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

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