18.32°C Vancouver

Dec 20, 2024 5:14 PM - The Canadian Press

Greece says 8 dead, 18 rescued as speedboat with migrants capsizes near island

Share On
greece-says-8-dead-18-rescued-as-speedboat-with-migrants-capsizes-near-island
The search south of Crete around the tiny island of Gavdos was called off Wednesday.

A speedboat carrying migrants capsized Friday morning off the eastern Greek island of Rhodes, leaving eight dead and 18 rescued, Greek authorities said.

The coast guard said the incident occurred while the speedboat was carrying out “dangerous maneuvers” to try and evade a patrol vessel, causing migrants to fall into the sea.

A rescue effort is underway involving coast guard vessels and a helicopter as it was unclear whether other passengers were missing, authorities said.

Rhodes, one of several large Greek islands located near the coast of Turkey, is on a busy illegal smuggling route in the eastern Mediterranean. It was the second deadly incident involving migrants in the past week, as authorities in Athens brace for a spike in arrivals as a result of wars in the Middle East.

Seven migrants were killed and dozens are believed to be missing after a boat partially sank south of the island of Crete over the weekend – one of four rescue operations during which more than 200 migrants were rescued.

The search south of Crete around the tiny island of Gavdos was called off Wednesday.

The number of migrants traveling illegally to Greece is expected to top 60,000 this year, with Syrians making up the largest number, followed by Afghans, Egyptians, Eritreans and Palestinians, according to government data.

Latest news

first-degree-murder-conviction-by-jury-in-2017-murder-of-nicholas-khabra
BCAug 28, 2025

First-degree murder conviction by jury in 2017 murder of Nicholas Khabra

Nicholas Khabra, 28, was shot dead in Surrey on October 23, 2017. In May 2018, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit with the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, began a joint investigation into the case, during which several suspects were under investigation, including Brandon Teixeira. Brandon Texeira has now been found guilty of first-degree murder. Connect FM spoke to CFSEU ​​spokesperson Cpl. Sarbjit Sangha regarding the case, she said “obtaining charges against Texeira was not an easy process. She added, “there was an attempt to arrest Teixeira in 2018, but he eluded
the-sister-of-a-hit-and-run-victim-issues-a-video-plea-for-one-more-witness
BCAug 28, 2025

The sister of a hit-and-run victim issues a video plea for one more witness

On August 30, 2024, 24-year-old Buddy Rhodes’ body was found off to the side of the Coquihalla (Highway #5) near Exit 286 in Merritt, BC. The vehicle and driver that hit him have not been found. On the one-year anniversary of Rhodes’ death, BC Highway Patrol is releasing the victim’s name while his sister issues a video plea for a witness who could help further the investigation. View the video: Alix Legouffe talks about the impact that Buddy’s death has had on her family, and what they are hoping will happen next A collision reconstruction determined that Rhodes was likely hit while s
two-rcmp-officers-in-alberta-charged-with-breach-of-trust-says-watchdog-agency
AlbertaAug 28, 2025

Two RCMP officers in Alberta charged with breach of trust, says watchdog agency

Alberta's police watchdog has charged a pair of RCMP officers from two northern detachments with breach of trust. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team, or ASIRT, says it was directed in mid-February last year to investigate two officers from the Morinville and Westlock detachments, located north of Edmonton. Watchdog officials say there are reasonable grounds to suggest an offence had been committed, but wouldn't comment further as the matter is before the courts. They say Sgt. Daniel Mayowski of Westlock and Sgt. Sheldon Robb of Morinville both were charged with breach of
CanadaAug 28, 2025

WSO raises concerns after appointment of Indian diplomats in Canada

The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) is raising concerns following the announcement that Canada and India have appointed new high commissioners as part of a diplomatic reset. Canada has appointed Christopher Cooter, a veteran diplomat with 35 years of service, as its new High Commissioner to India, while India has named Dinesh K. Patnaik as its envoy to Canada. WSO is calling on the Government of Canada to provide clear assurances that newly appointed Indian diplomats will not have intelligence or police backgrounds, will not engage in espionage or criminal activity in Canada, and will
alberta-now-on-track-for-even-bigger-budget-deficit-now-at-6-5b
AlbertaAug 28, 2025

Alberta now on track for even bigger budget deficit, now at $6.5B

The bad news for Alberta's oil-reliant budget is set to get worse. Finance Minister Nate Horner says softening oil prices mean this year's projected budget deficit is expected to grow by $1.3 billion, and will now finish at $6.5 billion in the red when the fiscal year ends next spring. That represents a massive multibillion-dollar swing in Alberta's financial fortunes, as it is coming off an $8.3-billion surplus the year prior. The government says uncertainty created by U.S. trade policy is hurting the Alberta economy and remains a significant risk going into the rest of the year.

Related News