Migrant dies off Samos after smugglers ditch 31 people in the sea to avoid patrols

One migrant died after smugglers piloting a speedboat from Turkey to an Aegean Sea island forced their passengers into the sea on Tuesday to avoid detection by marine patrols, Greek authorities said.

The remaining 30 migrants on the vessel were unhurt, a coast guard statement said.

The statement said the incident occurred off the eastern island of Samos, which is close to the Turkish coast. It said the speedboat was detected after the migrants - including eight children - had been forced overboard. It was stopped following a chase in which coast guard fired warning gunshots that caused no injury.

Two Turkish men on the vessel that had been heading back to Turkey were arrested and charged with migrant smuggling and actions that led to the loss of life.

The statement said 27 people managed to swim ashore to Samos. A search and rescue operation later...