A collision between a speedboat carrying migrants and a Greek coastguard patrol vessel on the eastern Aegean island of Chios has killed at least 14 people, the coastguard said.
A search and rescue operation involving four patrol vessels, an air force helicopter and a private boat carrying divers was conducted for the potential missing passengers.
The coastguard said another 24 people were rescued and taken to a hospital in Chios, as well as two coastguard officers who were injured in the incident. It was not clear how many of the survivors taken to the hospital were injured.
The coastguard said that it was not immediately clear how many people were on board the speedboat.
Video footage on a local news site showed at least one person being carried on a blanket from a coastguard boat docked at the side of a jetty to a waiting coastguard vehicle with blue flashing lights, while others were shown leading two children to the vehicle.
The coastguard did not immediately obtain additional information on how the collision occurred, or on the identities of the casualties or the other passengers of the speedboat.
Greece is a major entry point into the EU for people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Fatal accidents often happen. Many made the short but often dangerous crossing from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands in the eastern Aegean.
But increased patrols and allegations of pushbacks – summary deportations without allowing asylum applications – by Greek authorities have reduced attempts to cross.
Greece, along with many other EU countries, has tightened immigration regulations. In December, the EU overhauled its migration system, including streamlining deportations and increasing detentions.