The bodies of 12 migrants were found in a boat off the southern coast of the Greek island of Crete.
“Operative Information Center-OMM” reports, citing Greek media and the Hellenic Coast Guard.
The bodies were discovered about 15 nautical miles southeast of the village of Kali Limenes after a container ship sailing under the Moroccan flag spotted the boat carrying the migrants and alerted authorities.
The Coast Guard rescued 18 people and took them, along with the bodies of the 12 dead, to the port of Agia Galini.
The circumstances of the migrants’ deaths are not yet known. The incident comes amid an increase in arrivals from North Africa to Crete, which has become a key route for migrants seeking to reach Europe.
Separately, a total of 105 people were rescued in three operations conducted off the island’s southern coast.
