The death toll from the migrant boat tragedy off the coast of Greece has risen to five. Witnesses also report numerous people missing.
According to the Greek Coast Guard, the rescue operation is still ongoing. So far, 39 people, most of them Pakistani nationals, have been rescued with the help of cargo ships passing through the area. The survivors have been transported to the island of Crete.
Coast Guard officials noted that the exact number of missing persons has yet to be confirmed. The area of the wreck is being searched by Coast Guard vessels, merchant ships, an Italian frigate, and naval aircraft. Authorities were alerted to the incident on Friday evening. Initially, one death was reported.
Earlier in November, four migrants — three men and one woman — died while attempting to cross the Aegean Sea.
According to data from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, more than 48,000 migrants arrived in Greece between January and October this year, making it the second most popular entry point in Southern Europe after Italy.
