Children among at least 22 immigrants dead in Greece boat disaster
Two vessels capsized on their way from Turkey to Greece
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.At least 22 immigrants have drowned after two boats capsized trying to smuggle them illegally into Greece.
Bodies are still being recovered from the ocean but at least four children are known to have died, including one infant found in its mother’s arms.
The vessels overturned before dawn on Monday in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Samos, near the Turkish border.
The yacht and a dinghy were overloaded but it was not immediately clear what caused them to capsize.
It was the third fatal migrant boat disaster this year.
The Greek coast guard said 36 people - 32 men, three women and a child - were rescued, and a man and child were airlifted to hospital on the mainland.
The survivors were identified as 23 Somalis, nine Syrians and three Eritreans, the coast guard said. The background of those who died was unknown.
Officials recovered the bodies of two women, a man and a boy from the sea, and later found a further 18 bodies - including three children - inside the yacht after it was lifted out of the water.
Survivors told the coast guard between 60 and 65 people had been on the 30-ft yacht and the six-foot dinghy that had set off from Turkey.
“We can't give a precise number of missing people with any certainty,” said spokesman Nikos Lagadianos.
Search vessels, fishing boats and two helicopters were combing the area for survivors or bodies.
A nearby cruise ship helped for several hours before being cleared to continue its journey.
Despite the financial crisis that brought Greece to the brink of bankruptcy four years ago, the country remains a major entry point for people from poor or war-ravaged parts of Asia and Africa seeking a better life in the European Union.
Fatal accidents are frequent as migrants risk the dangerous sea crossing from Turkey.
Before today's incident, 21 people had drowned in similar incidents since the beginning of 2014 and many more have been rescued from the sea.
Additional reporting by PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments