Two bodies, 39 survivors found on Greek island after suspected migrant boat sinking

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - ATHENS — Greek authorities say they have found 39 survivors and the bodies of two women on the small, remote island of Farmakonisi after a suspected migrant boat sank.

The coastguard said the migrants and bodies were found Monday morning but the vessel they had used to make the journey from Turkey was not located.

Officials said there were no reports of any missing people, nor any immediate information on the migrants' nationalities or how their boat had sunk.

Earlier this month, at least 16 people died when two dinghies sank, one in Turkish and one in Greek waters, as dozens of migrants attempted to make their way from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands.

Greece is a main entry point into the European Union for people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Many make the short but often treacherous journey from the Turkish coast to Greek islands in inflatable dinghies or other small boats.

Many are not seaworthy or set out in bad weather and fatal accidents are common.

The Greek government has cracked down with increased patrols at sea. Many smuggling rings have shifted their operations south, using larger boats to transport people from the northern coast of Africa to southern Greece.

Last year, more than 54,000 people used what has become known as the eastern Mediterranean route heading to Greece and more than 7,700 crossed Greece’s small land border with Turkey, according to figures from the UN refugee agency.

There were 125 people reported dead or missing.

The UN high commissioner for refugees has said over 8,000 people arrived in Greece by sea and 755 by land between the start of this year and 30 March. — Euronews