Five people were injured when an Estonian patrol boat involved in a European Union Border Agency mission sank in the Mediterranean on the 16th of March, ERR News reports.
The accident occurred at around 4:20 p.m. local time, near the Greek island of Megisti near Turkey, and there were three Estonian border guards, a representative of the local border guard and the Estonian ambassador to Greece on board at the time.
Veiko Kommusaar, Director General of the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PPA), said that the accident was serious and that the circumstances of the incident were currently being investigated. He noted that it is known that the boat capsized and the people got out of it on their own.
Four people were taken to hospital by helicopter and are receiving medical treatment.
The condition of two people is assessed as serious.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna thanked the rescuers and the Greek Coast Guard for their quick and professional action. The minister added that Estonian authorities, in cooperation with their Greek counterparts, would investigate the cause of the accident.
The Estonian team has been participating in the European border guard Frontex mission since 2016. Greek public broadcaster ERT reported that the boat may have hit a dry dock while leaving or entering the port, and then started taking on water.
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