A boat carrying illegal migrants overturned near the island of Gavdos, which is near the Greek island of Crete. According to preliminary data, 1 person was killed as a result of the disaster, 40 people are considered missing, the Greek ERTNews TV station reported.
It is noted that the incident took place in the early morning of December 14. A major rescue operation was undertaken. 37 people were rescued from the ship that capsized for unknown reasons. Two coast guard ships, one helicopter each of the Greek Air Force and Navy are involved in the rescue operations. The TV company reported that two more rescue operations were carried out in the same area.
Another boat with 47 migrants was spotted 40 nautical miles south of Gavdos Island. Their lives were also in danger, but the rescuers were able to bring them all safely to the port of Paleochora. The third rescue operation took place 28 nautical miles south of Gavdos, where a boat carrying about 40 migrants was spotted.