Dozens missing after Greece migrant boat capsizes
Athens, Nov 1 (EFE).- A boat with some 70 migrants capsized Tuesday in the Kafireas Strait between the Aegean islands of Andros and Evia, sparking a massive search-and-rescue operation.
A coast guard statement said searchers rescued nine Iranian and Afghan migrants from a tiny islet.
The survivors said the ship had departed from Izmir, Turkey, with 68 people on board.
The search operation by three vessels and a Coast Guard helicopter faced inclement weather conditions, with winds in the Aegean blowing at speeds of as high as 8-9 Beaufort.
The coast guard statement said the passengers made the distress call on the international emergency number 112, warning that they were in danger without indicating the exact location.
Meanwhile, the search continued for eight missing persons from the sinking of a raft Monday near the island of Samos. Four people were rescued.
The survivors said 12 people were on the boat.
Shipwrecks have been more frequent than ever in Greek waters in recent weeks.
The temperatures are still good, but the winds, which are very frequent in the Aegean, are blowing stronger and make navigation difficult. EFE
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