At least 13 migrants dead as boat sinks off Greek island

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Greek authorities say a small plastic boat carrying migrants from Turkey to Europe has sunk off an eastern Greek islet drowning at least 13, mostly children.

The coast guard says another 15 people have been rescued, while a search is underway to locate one missing person. The dead were identified as seven children, four men and two women.

The accident occurred before dawn today off the small Aegean Sea island of Farmakonissi. The cause of the sinking was not immediately clear.

A day earlier, Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency reported that 11 migrants attempting to reach the Greek island of Samos drowned after their boat capsized, including three children. Seven others were rescued.

The agency says Turkish coast guards spotted the refugees during a routine patrol.      

Daily Pioneer
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