KOMOTINI, Greece

Eight people died when a boat carrying irregular migrants lost control off the coast of the Aegean island of Rhodes, according to Greek authorities.

The Greek Coast Guard reported Friday that the boat capsized during a smuggler’s attempt to evade authorities through dangerous maneuvers.

Teams recovered the bodies of eight migrants who fell into the sea, while 18 others were rescued.

Of the survivors, eight were hospitalized with injuries.

A similar incident took place on Dec. 14, when a migrant boat sank near the island of Gavdos, south of Crete, leaving seven dead.

*Writing by Alperen Aktas from Istanbul