An episodic pursuit took place yesterday (5/8) in Symi when a Coast Guard patrol car signaled a speedboat carrying refugees and immigrants to stop.
Its operator, not only did not stop, but started making dangerous maneuvers and tried to ram the patrol car. Coast Guard officers fired two warning shots and then aimed at the speedboat’s engine.
The speedboat reversed and crashed into the right side of the Coast Guard patrol car, causing the illegal vessel’s air chamber to break and come to a standstill. The smuggler who was behind the wheel was injured, he was taken to the Symi Health Center and from there he was transferred to the General Hospital of Rhodes, where he remains hospitalized.
21 foreigners who had started from Bozburun in Turkey and had paid 4,500 euros each to reach Symi were found on land. The speedboat sank.
The announcement of the Coast Guard
“At noon yesterday, patrol boat (PLS) L.S.-EL.AKT. as part of a planned patrol, he spotted a speedboat (T/X) disembarking people near the bay of Marathousntas, Symi.
The PLC proceeded to use light and sound signals to immobilize it, with negative results. A pursuit ensued with the operator of the T/X making repeated dangerous maneuvers and attempts to ram the patrol car.
Two (02) warning shots were fired in a safe area with negative results and then two (02) targeted shots were fired at the T/X machine. The speedboat decelerated and overturned hitting the right side of the T/X, rupturing the T/X’s air chamber and immobilizing it.
From the crew of the patrol vessel L.S.-EL.AKT. it was established that the foreigner needed medical treatment due to trauma and first aid was provided. He was then transferred to the Symi Health Center and from there he was transferred to the General Hospital of Rhodes, where he remains hospitalized.
At the same time, investigations were carried out from land in the area, by officials of the Port Authority, where twenty one (21) foreigners were identified and transferred to the Port Authority of Symi. The foreigners had started from Bozburun in Turkey and had paid the sum of €4,500 each for their transport to Symi. The speedboat sank. A preliminary investigation is being conducted by the Central Port Authority of Symi”.
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