Father and Son Swim Seven Hours Across Aegean Sea from Turkey to Greek Island

A 52-year-old father and his 23-year-old son from the Gaza Strip completed a rare and perilous journey by swimming across the Aegean Sea from the Turkish coast to the Greek island of Kos. According to Aegean Boat Report, which monitors migrant movements in the region, the pair swam for about seven continuous hours, much of it in darkness, before reaching the Greek shore early in the morning.

The men, residents of Khan Yunis, had previously been evacuated to Egypt for medical treatment during the Gaza conflict and later traveled to Turkey. There, they decided to attempt an unconventional route to Greece, equipped only with fins and inflatable floats, without navigation tools or safety equipment. Contact was lost during the night, prompting their family to alert Aegean Boat Report out of fear they had drowned. Hours later, the father and son reestablished contact, reporting they had arrived safely but were exhausted and dehydrated.

After landing, the two hid to avoid immigration authorities. Aid workers eventually made contact, advising them to leave hiding and wait in a safe area for assistance. Another organization tracking migrant sea crossings urged Greek authorities to provide urgent medical care. Local police later located the men, but no official updates on their health or further treatment have been released. Aid groups emphasized the rarity of such a long-distance swim, noting that while sea crossings in the Aegean are common, swimming such a distance is extremely unusual.