Fifteen Afghan migrants who died in a shipwreck off the Greek island of Chios earlier this month did not primarily drown, but suffered fatal head injuries, according to court documents stemming from autopsies conducted after the collision. The findings deepen questions over how a routine interception at sea turned deadly and have intensified scrutiny of Greece’s coast guard operations along one of Europe’s busiest migration routes.
The incident occurred on February 3, 2026, when a dinghy carrying about 39 migrants collided with a Greek coast guard patrol vessel before capsizing. Divers later recovered bodies trapped inside the overturned boat. A total of 15 people were killed, 24 migrants were injured, and three coast guard crew members sustained injuries.
Autopsies Point to Blunt Force Trauma
Court documents reviewed on February 11 state the “cause of death: Severe cranial and brain injuries” for most of the victims. Another document described the cause as “cranial and brain injuries and subsequent drowning.”
The findings suggest the force of the collision — rather than water inhalation alone — proved fatal. The presence of significant head trauma has sharpened attention on the mechanics of the crash: the speed of the vessels, their proximity at impact and whether evasive action was taken.
Divers recovered several of the victims from inside the capsized dinghy, an image that underscores the violence of the overturning. Boats of this type, often inflatable and overcrowded, can flip within seconds, trapping passengers beneath like a sealed lid.
Conflicting Accounts of the Collision
The Greek coast guard maintains that the migrant dinghy had been traveling without navigation lights and ignored warnings to stop. Officials said the smaller craft abruptly changed course, causing the collision with the patrol vessel.
Survivor testimonies reviewed as part of the investigation tell a different story. Five survivors reportedly said the coast guard offered no prior warning and that the dinghy did not change course before the crash.
The sharply contrasting accounts now form the core of a criminal investigation launched by Greek judicial authorities. Establishing whether the collision resulted from pursuit tactics, miscalculation or deliberate maneuvering could prove pivotal.
Criminal Charges and Ongoing Investigation
A 31-year-old Moroccan survivor has been detained and charged with migrant smuggling and causing the crash. He denies the accusations.
Authorities have not publicly concluded whether additional liability may attach to any coast guard personnel. Photographs reportedly released by the coast guard showed only mild scrapes on the patrol vessel, though investigators are expected to weigh vessel damage against the severity of injuries sustained by those aboard the dinghy.
Under Greek law, migrant smuggling carries severe penalties, particularly when loss of life occurs. The parallel investigation into the circumstances of the crash will determine whether further charges are warranted.
Greece at the Frontline of Migration Routes
The waters around the eastern Aegean islands, including Chios, remain a primary corridor for migrants attempting to enter the European Union. Greece, positioned at the bloc’s southeastern frontier, has long balanced border enforcement with obligations under international maritime and human rights law.
This tragedy highlights the razor-thin margin for error during high-speed maritime interceptions. Inflatable dinghies — often overcrowded and piloted by inexperienced operators — share congested waters with larger, more powerful patrol boats. A sudden swerve, a wake at the wrong angle, or a moment’s misjudgment can turn an interception into catastrophe.
While no Maltese nationals were involved, the case resonates across the Mediterranean — including in Malta, which faces similar migration pressures and scrutiny over its own maritime enforcement practices. For frontline states, the episode serves as a stark reminder that every pursuit unfolds under humanitarian, legal and political glare.
Questions That Demand Answers
The autopsy results shift the focus from drowning alone to the nature and force of impact. As investigators reconstruct the moments before the collision, key questions remain unanswered: Were proper warnings issued? Were safe interception protocols followed? Could the clash have been avoided?
For the families of the 15 Afghan victims, the distinction between drowning and blunt force trauma offers little comfort. But for authorities and rights advocates, it may prove critical. In maritime enforcement, where seconds matter and narratives diverge, the truth often lies beneath the surface — and, in this case, within the medical evidence itself.
