12 migrants dead, more than 100 rescued off Greek island of Crete

Twelve migrants have been found dead and 105 others rescued in three separate operations off the southern coast of Crete, Greek authorities said on Monday.

Twenty migrants in total have died over the past few days trying to reach the Greek island of Crete, the coast guard said.

In the deadliest incident, a Moroccan-flagged container ship spotted a migrant boat around 15 nautical miles (28 kilometres) southeast of Kali Limenes, according to Greek daily Kathimerini.

A Greek Coast Guard vessel rushed to the scene, rescuing 18 survivors and recovering the bodies of 12 people.

In two separate incidents, boats carrying 47 and 40 migrants were spotted around 30 and 31 nautical miles (56 and 57 kilometres) south of Kali Limenes.

Frontex aerial assets, including manned and unmanned aircraft, helped locate the boats.

Frontex vessels rescued 87 migrants in the two operations. They were expected to be transferred to the port of Kali Limenes.

The three operations brought the total number of migrants rescued to 105.

TRT World & Agencies — TRT World & Agencies

Photo: AP