Multiple people are dead after a migrant boat and a coastguard vessel crashed off the coast of Greece on Tuesday. Greek authorities launched a search and rescue operation after the incident off the coast of the Aegean island of Chios. Local media reported that 14 people died and several injured.

A pregnant woman was among 24 migrants taken to hospital in Chios along with two coastguards. Mayor of Chios, Yiannis Malafis, told Greek media outlet, Mega, that the authorities were trying to handle the situation as best as they could. He said: “Right now, all the doctors have gathered at the hospital, everyone who can help has gathered.”

Initial reports said a Coast Guard patrol boat from Oinousses spotted the migrant boat and signalled to those on board to turn back.

But the smugglers reportedly moved towards the Coast Guard vessel and the two boats collided, sending people crashing into the sea. Greek news outlet, Oema, said there were 35 people on the migrant boat.

Local media reported there was an exchange of gunfire though the claims have not been officially confirmed or denied.

The Coast Guard and Greek Air Force were said to have been involved in the search and rescue operation, which involved use of thermal cameras.

Coast Guard units from nearby islands and the Ministry of Shipping’s intelligence service were also involved, according to Oema.

At the time of writing, there was no confirmation about the condition of those who were found injured.

Video footage by a local news site showed at least one person being carried in a blanket from a coast guard boat moored on the side of a jetty into a waiting coast guard vehicle with blue flashing lights, as others appear to lead two children toward the car.

Greece is a major point of entry into the European Union for people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Many undertake the short but often perilous crossing from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands in the eastern Aegean. Increased patrols and allegations of pushbacks — summary deportations without allowing migrants to make asylum applications — by Greek authorities have reduced crossing attempts.

Greece, along with several other EU countries, has been tightening its regulations on migration, including by streamlining deportations and increasing detentions.

There has long been a fierce debate among EU members about migration. Since a surge in asylum-seekers and other migrants to Europe a decade ago, public debate on the issue has shifted and far-right parties have gained political power. EU migration policies have hardened, and the number of asylum-seekers is down from record levels.