A large search and rescue operation was launched in the area. Authorities said 104 people have been rescued so far after the overnight incident about 75 kilometers southwest of Greece’s Peloponnese region.
A fishing boat carrying dozens of migrants capsized and sank off the southern coast of Greece early Wednesday, killing at least 32 people.
A large search and rescue operation was launched in the area. Authorities said 104 people have been rescued so far after the overnight incident about 75 kilometers southwest of Greece’s Peloponnese region.
Four of the survivors were hospitalized with symptoms of hypothermia. It was unclear how many passengers may remain missing at sea, the Greek coast guard said.
The ongoing search involved six Coast Guard vessels, a navy frigate, a military transport aircraft, an air force helicopter, several private vessels and a drone from the European Union Border Protection Agency, Frontex
The Italy-bound ship is believed to have left the Tobruk area in eastern Libya. The Italian coast guard first alerted Greek authorities and Frontex to the ship’s approach on Tuesday.
Smugglers are increasingly taking larger vessels into international waters off the Greek mainland in an attempt to avoid local coast guard patrols.
On Sunday, 90 migrants on a US-flagged yacht were rescued in the area after a distress call was made.
Separately on Wednesday, a yacht with more than 70 migrants on board was towed to a port on the southern coast of the Greek island of Crete after authorities received a distress call.
Our reporters are working on this story and will update it as soon as more information becomes available.
