“The circumstances of the accident are currently under investigation. We know that the boat overturned and the people got out by themselves. One member of the boat’s crew called for help by phone and the island’s coast guard arrived on the scene and four people were taken to the hospital by helicopter. Our border guards are now under the care of doctors, the condition of two of them is assessed as serious. We wish everyone a speedy recovery,” Estonian border guard chief Veiko Kommusaar told the station.
The accident happened on Monday at 16:20. Of the five crew members, three were Estonians, as well as one Greek border guard and also a “guest”, namely Ambassador Rannuová.
The Frontex boat sank after the accident. Estonian Minister of the Interior Igor Taro stated that Tallinn is in contact with the crew and offers the necessary support.
“The exact circumstances of the accident are being investigated in cooperation with our partners. We thank all those who assisted in the accident and will share more information as soon as possible and appropriate,” said Taro.
The Greek state television channel ERT announced that all the injured were transported by helicopter to a hospital on the nearby island of Rhodes.
Karin Rannuová has been the Estonian ambassador to Greece, Cyprus and Albania since 2022.
