At least 14 people have died after a speedboat carrying migrants collided with a Greek coastguard patrol vessel off the eastern Aegean island of Chios, the coastguard said.
A search and rescue operation involving four patrol vessels, an Air Force helicopter and a private boat carrying divers is underway for the missing passengers.
The coastguard said another 24 people were rescued and taken to a hospital in Chios, including two coastguard officers who were injured in the incident. It was not clear how many of the survivors were taken to hospital.
The coastguard said it was not immediately clear how many people were on board the speedboat.
Video footage by a local news site showed at least one man being led from a coastguard boat into a waiting coastguard vehicle with blue flashing lights on the side of a jetty, while others were seen leading two children towards a car.
The Coast Guard did not immediately have information on how the collision occurred or the identities of the injured or other passengers on the speedboat.
Greece is a major entry point into the EU for people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Fatal accidents are common. Many undertake the short but often dangerous crossing from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands in the eastern Aegean.
But increased patrols and allegations of pushbacks by Greek authorities — summary deportations without allowing asylum applications — have slowed crossing efforts.
Greece, along with many other EU countries, is tightening its rules on immigration. In December, the EU overhauled its immigration system, including streamlining deportations and increasing detentions.
