A migrant boat sank in the Aegean Sea near Lesbos, killing at least seven, including two children. Twenty-three survivors were rescued, while a search for more victims continues. The cause remains unknown.

A boat carrying migrants has sunk in the Aegean Sea, between the Turkish mainland and the Greek island of Lesbos, according to a statement from the Greek Coast Guard on Thursday. At least seven people, including two children, have lost their lives.

The vessel was traveling from the Turkish coast toward Lesbos when it was detected by a patrolling coast guard vessel in the early morning hours.

At least 23 individuals have been rescued and transported to a hospital, according to the Turkish news agency Anadolu.

The cause of the boat’s capsizing remains unclear, and authorities have yet to determine the total number of passengers on board or their nationalities.

A search and rescue operation is ongoing, involving three coast guard vessels, an air force helicopter, and a nearby boat, as authorities continue efforts to locate additional victims.

Greece’s islands frequently serve as entry points to the European Union for migrants from around the world. Many of them are fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

In 2024, approximately 54,000 people arrived in Greece, the majority traveling by boat.

A report by the organization Refugee Support Aegean (RSA) indicates that at least 171 people either died or went missing in 2024 while attempting to cross the Aegean Sea.