Eight children among 12 migrants in drowning off Greece

January 28, 2016
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A search was underway for around 20 people listed as missing after the latest tragedy involving migrant boats crossing the Aegean Sea from Turkey to Greece.

So far, ten survivors have been found.

The sinking occurred late on Wednesday north of the island of Samos in the eastern Aegean Sea, close to the Turkish coast.

Despite wintry conditions, thousands of people fleeing war and misery continue to make the treacherous sea journey to Europe, many paying with their lives.

More than 600,000 refugees and migrants fleeing Syria, Afghanistan and other war-torn countries arrived in Greece from Turkey last year, risking the short but dangerous sea crossing, often on inflatable rafts. Hundreds have drowned.

Yesterday, rescuers found the bodies of seven drowned migrants, including two children, after their boat sank off the Greek island of Kos.

Sources: Reuters, AFP, thetoc.gr

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