Greece's coastguard yesterday said at least eight people had drowned during the pursuit of a smuggling speedboat that sank in the Aegean Sea.

The coastguard said the speedboat had capsized as it attempted to flee, adding that another 18 people had been rescued.

A coastguard statement said that the boat driver had "lost control" while attempting to evade a Greek patrol vessel.

The incident occurred near the island of Rhodes, opposite the Turkish coast on a route frequently used by migrant smugglers.

Coastguard vessels and a helicopter were looking for survivors. Greece has seen a 25-percent increase this year in the number of migrants arriving, with a 30-percent increase to Rhodes and the southeast Aegean, according to the migration ministry.