The Greek coast guard says a search and rescue operation for migrants reported missing after their boat capsized south of the Greek island of Rhodes is in its third day.
THEATER, Greece (AP) — The coast guard said Friday that a third day of searching for migrants reported missing after their boat capsized south of the Greek island of Rhodes was underway.
The coast guard said Friday that a Greek frigate and three merchant ships were searching the area about 40 nautical miles (74 kilometers, 46 miles) south of Rhodes and 33 nautical miles southeast of Karpathos.
After the boat sank, 29 survivors, all men, were picked up by a merchant ship and a Greek air force helicopter in the early hours of Wednesday. Survivors initially stated that between 60 and 80 people were on board, but that figure was later revised, and the coast guard stated on Friday that a total of 50-60 people were on board.
Two of the 29, who the coast guard identified as Turkish nationals, were rescued by helicopter and flown to Karpathos, while the remaining 27 were picked up by the merchant ship and transported to Kos.
On Wednesday, the Turkish coast guard announced the rescue of five people. Since the initial rescues, no more survivors or bodies have been found.
The cause of the sinking was not immediately clear, but weather conditions in the area were rough at the time, with strong winds and choppy seas, according to Greek authorities.
The most common sea route for asylum seekers from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa has been from Turkey to the Aegean Sea’s nearby Greek islands.
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