ATHENS, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- An infant was among six people killed after a speedboat carrying migrants collided with a Greek coast guard patrol vessel off the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos on Monday, Greek authorities said.
The incident occurred in the early hours when the speedboat made dangerous maneuvers while attempting to evade a coast guard inspection, authorities said.
The bodies of four men, a woman and the infant were recovered after the boat capsized and sank, the coast guard said. Eight people, including four men, two women and two children, were rescued and taken to hospital for treatment.
The search and rescue operation was completed, with no other people reported missing, the coast guard said. The 37-year-old Turkish operator of the boat was arrested on suspicion of people smuggling.
Greek Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Vassilis Kikilias expressed grief and anger over the deaths. He reiterated the government's zero-tolerance stance on smugglers, calling them criminals who risk the lives of desperate people for profit. ■
