The Greek coastguard reported that eight bodies were recovered from the sea by Greece after their speedboat collided into a coastguard vessel which was pursuing them off the island Rhodes in the early hours of Friday morning.

The coastguard stated that 18 people have been rescued, including many injured ones. A search operation is still underway in the area.

According to an official of the Greek coastguard, the boat was sailing at a high speed when it collided with a coastguard vessel. The boat was also trying to avoid the officials pursuing it.

Officially, the captain of the boat was arrested.

Greece, located at the southernmost tip of the European Union has been a popular gateway into Europe for refugees and migrants from the Middle East and Africa. In 2015, nearly 1,000,000 people arrived on its islands. (Reporting and writing by Renee Maltezou, Angeliki Koutantou, Alison Williams).

(source: Reuters)