Athens, Dec 25 : At least a dozen of people have lost their lives before Christmas Eve while their vessels, carrying refugees and migrants heading for Europe, sank in Greek waters.
Two bodies have been retrieved as a rescue operation was underway Friday night near the Aegean Sea island of Paros, after the sinking of a vessel carrying refugees and migrants, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the Greek media reports.
So far, 57 passengers have been rescued, with survivors stating that about 80 people were on board, Greek national news agency AMNA reported.
Earlier, the Hellenic Coast Guard announced that the death toll of the sinking of a refugee and migrant sailing boat on Thursday off the island of Antikythera on the edge of the Aegean Sea has reached 11.
Ninety passengers were rescued and transferred to Piraeus port, according to an e-mailed press statement.The Greek authorities also announced on Wednesday that a similar boat sank near Folegandros island.
Three people lost their lives, 13 were rescued and an unknown number of people were missing.Greece has been at the forefront of the refugee and migrant influx since 2015.
Hundreds have perished in the Aegean Sea in the past six years.int/shs
Many drowned as refugees vessels collide with the Greek water before Christmas
According to an electronic press release, ninety passengers were saved and transported to Piraeus port.On Wednesday, the Greek authorities announced that another boat similar to this one had sunk near Folegandros Island.Trey people died, thirteen were rescued, and a number of others were still missing.
Since 2015, Greece has led the refugee and migration influx.In the last six years, hundreds have drowned in the Aegean sea.
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