Athens, Dec 16 (NationPress) - Greek authorities reported that a total of 28 individuals were rescued, while three others remain unaccounted for, following the sinking of a vessel transporting irregular migrants from Turkey near the Greek island of Samos on Tuesday.

A search-and-rescue operation is currently in progress to find those missing, as stated by the Hellenic Coast Guard, which noted that winds reaching up to force 5 on the Beaufort scale are complicating efforts, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

The Coast Guard indicated that the migrants were located in proximity to the shore after their boat collided with rocks. They were subsequently transported to a local hospital for initial medical assistance, with an injured infant in critical condition being airlifted to Athens, as reported by local media outlet Samos Today. The nationalities of the migrants have yet to be verified.

Since 2015, Greece has served as a significant entry point for irregular migrants and refugees into the European Union, with over one million arrivals documented over the past decade. Tragically, hundreds have perished while attempting perilous sea crossings.

Data recently disclosed by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) indicates a 30 percent decrease in irregular migration flows through the Eastern Mediterranean during the first 11 months of 2025 compared to the same timeframe in 2024.

According to Frontex, approximately 46,200 arrivals have been recorded in Greek waters thus far this year.

Last week, a tragic incident occurred when a 12-year-old boy lost his life after a trafficker compelled migrants to leap from a speedboat near the Greek island of Samos, as reported by state broadcaster ERT on December 8.

The Hellenic Coast Guard (HCG) revealed that the vessel was transporting 38 migrants when a patrol boat approached. The smuggler allegedly instructed the passengers to jump into the sea before fleeing towards the shore. The child sustained fatal injuries from the boat's propeller.

The boy's remains and the 37 survivors were taken to a local medical facility. Authorities have initiated a manhunt for the trafficker.

Greece has consistently been a primary access point for irregular migrants and refugees within the European Union since 2015, witnessing over 1 million arrivals. Unfortunately, numerous individuals have lost their lives during the treacherous sea journey.

The latest fatal incident follows another on December 6, when Greek officials recovered 17 bodies and rescued two migrants from a vessel near Crete.

Recent statistics from Frontex illustrate a 25 percent reduction in irregular migration flows along the Eastern Mediterranean route during the first ten months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with around 43,000 arrivals logged in Greek waters.

However, Frontex also reported a significant surge in activity along the Libya-Crete corridor, with detections increasing by 272 percent year-on-year in the same timeframe.