Death toll increases to 16 in Greek boat-sinking incident

Representational Image

The death toll in the incident of the sinking of a boat at off a Greek island in the eastern Aegean region has increased to 16. It was earlier reported that 14 people were killed after a suspected people-smuggling boat capsized on Saturday.

As reported by the Sputnik News Agency a large search and rescue operation was underway involving three aircraft, Greek navy and coast guard vessels, a vessel from the European border agency Frontex and private boats. Initially, the bodies of four children, one man and one woman were recovered off the island of Agathonisi, south of the island of Samos, according to The Washington Post.

Greek Migration Policy Minister Dimitris Vitsas offered his condolences to the families of the victims, stressing the need for a relentless crackdown against people smuggling. Initially, the bodies of four children, one man and one woman were recovered off the island of Agathonisi, south of the island of Samos, according to The Washington Post. Three people - two women and a man - managed to reach the coast and alert authorities following which the rescue operation was started.

Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever