At least three dead as migrant boat capsizes off Greek island

ATHENS (AFP)

The bodies of three migrants were picked up in waters off the Greek island of Crete during a rescue effort involving a commercial ship, authorities said Friday.

Twenty migrants were rescued by the commercial vessel, which was directed to the area on the orders of the Greek Search and Rescue Centre.

According to Greek public broadcaster ERT, an accident occurred when the vessel approached the migrants' wooden boat.

As the passengers tried to climb up ladders into the vessel, a sudden movement caused the small boat to capsize.

The search for survivors was continuing with four patrol boats, an aircraft, and two ships from the European border agency Frontex, a spokesperson for the Greek coast guard told AFP.

According to ERT, survivors said about 50 people were aboard the wooden boat.
A second boat carrying around forty migrants was spotted in the area, triggering another rescue operation.