The National Maritime Authority (AMN) announced in a statement that the incident occurred “during a search and rescue operation for migrants off the coast of Lesbos” and that there were six people onboard, who were “safely rescued and are in good physical condition.”
The Portuguese police force also highlighted that “an inquiry has already been initiated to determine the causes of the incident.”
The Greek television station ERT reported that the Portuguese vessel sank around 18:00 (16:00 in Lisbon) during a search operation for four migrants in a canoe (a vessel made from a single tree trunk) crossing from the Turkish coast.
A spokesperson for the Greek coast guard told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the vessel, operating under the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), sank after hitting a reef near the island of Lesbos.
The crew consisted of five Portuguese and one Greek member, the spokesperson added.
“It was involved in the rescue of migrants in the area, under nearly stormy wind conditions,” they detailed.
The operation was launched after 36 migrants, spotted by police on a Lesbos beach, reported to authorities that other group members were missing at sea.
The Greek coast guard further stated that searches for the migrants are still ongoing.
Frontex is tasked with assisting European Union (EU) and Schengen Area countries in managing their external borders.
[News updated at 23:25]
