Greek Coast Guard intercepts fast boat with 15 Syrian migrants near Keros

The Greek Coast Guard launched a coordinated pursuit of a high‑speed boat that was transporting 15 Syrian nationals—three men, four women and eight children—from Turkish waters toward the Greek islands. The operation covered the maritime area from southeast of Chios to the island of Keros, near Naxos, and involved seven patrol vessels and an aerial helicopter.

The vessel ignored repeated visual and acoustic signals, accelerating to an estimated 50 knots before being disabled near the southeastern tip of Keros. All passengers, along with two crew members (a Greek and a Cypriot citizen), were transferred to a Coast Guard boat and taken safely to the port of Naxos. The boat was seized and the Naxos Coast Guard has opened a preliminary investigation into the incident and the roles of the individuals on board.