Autopsies show migrants in shipwreck off Greece died of head injuries, not drowning

ATHENS — Most of the 15 Afghan migrants who were killed off the Greek island of Chios last week when their dinghy collided with a coast guard vessel died of head injuries, not from drowning, autopsy results seen by Reuters show.

A criminal investigation has been opened into the February 3 collision—one of Greece's deadliest migrant accidents in years—in which a coast guard vessel collided with a dinghy carrying about 39 people, causing it to capsize.

The coast guard said the migrant boat had been travelling without navigation lights and ignored warnings to stop. It said the dinghy abruptly changed course and hit the patrol vessel. The passengers fell into the sea, it said.

But testimonies from five survivors, reviewed by Reuters, contradict the official account. They said that the coast guard did not offer any prior warning and that the dinghy did not change course. Later, divers found dead bodies inside the boat.

The autopsy findings are likely to sharpen investigators' focus on the force and nature of the impact.

"Cause of death: Severe cranial and brain injuries," said one of the court documents seen by Reuters on Wednesday, with others also citing accompanying chest injuries. Another one said "cranial and brain injuries and subsequent drowning."

Coast guard photos taken after the collision showed mild scrapes on its vessel. In total three coast guard crew members and 24 migrants were injured.

Moroccan detained on smuggling charges

Before the incident, the coast guard had spotted the ship and ordered one of its vessels to approach it, according to the court documents. One of the survivors testified that he and his family had paid €20,000 ($23,725) to cross to Greece by boat, after staying in Turkey for two years.

So far, a 31-year-old Moroccan survivor has been detained pending trial on charges including migrant smuggling and causing the deadly crash. He denies the accusations.

Coast guard officials have declined comment on the case while the official inquiry is under way.

Greece, which was at the frontline of Europe's migration crisis in 2015-16, says it respects international law and that its coast guard has saved tens of thousands of people.

Since 2019, however, the country has adopted tougher migration policies, drawing criticism from rights groups.

Hundreds of migrants died in a shipwreck in 2023 after what witnesses said was a failed attempt by the coast guard to tow their trawler. A naval court is still investigating the case. — Reuters