Europe Asia News

It was reported that the Palestinian embassies in Lebanon and Greece were closely monitoring developments concerning Palestinian citizens missing after boat accidents near the Greek islands of Lesbos and Samos.

According to a statement from the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, following instructions from Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Varsen Shahin, the relevant authorities and the victims' families were contacted after initial reports were received concerning Palestinian citizens who had departed from Lebanon and Syria and went missing while attempting to reach the islands of Lesbos and Samos on October 19, 2026.

The Palestinian Embassy in Greece reported that the Greek Coast Guard had confirmed that, among bodies whose identities had not yet been established, four Palestinian citizens' bodies were found near Lesbos and one near Samos.

Palestinian Ambassador to Greece Mohammed Al-Assad and Ambassador to Lebanon Yusuf Derham were reported to be following the legal procedures necessary for handing over the bodies to their families and issuing death certificates. It was noted that preparations to transfer the bodies to Lebanon and Syria could take time due to procedures in force in Greece.

The statement said that the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates had urged Palestinian citizens and families not to resort to illegal migration methods, warning that such routes pose serious risks to the lives of Palestinians.