Search and rescue efforts continue for the third day to find migrants missing after their boat capsized south of the Greek island of Rhodes, in the Mediterranean Sea, the coast guard said, as a Greek frigate and 3 merchant ships are involved in the search. in an area located 75 km from South Rhodes. Early last Wednesday morning, 29 survivors were recovered aboard a commercial vessel and a Greek Air Force helicopter, including two Turks, after the vessel sank. Another vessel recovered 27 people and their nationalities from Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq. , on the island of Kos.

Survivors initially indicated that “there were between 60 and 80 people on board the boat, but the number later changed and the Coast Guard stated they believed there were between 50 and 60 people in total.” It is not yet clear why the boat sank, but according to Greek authorities, weather conditions in the area at the time were difficult, with strong winds and high waves.

Greek authorities have stepped up their patrols in the area, while there are persistent reports of newcomers being forcibly returned to Turkey, preventing them from applying for asylum, which the Greek authorities deny. Some migrants are trying to take the longer and more dangerous route straight to Italy.