Greece: Migrant boat sinks, at least 17 people missing

Greek and Turkish rescuers have rescued 16 of the 33-37 migrants believed to be on board.

Greek authorities said on July 7 that a boat carrying migrants sank in the Aegean Sea between Turkey and Greece, with at least 17 people missing.

Rescuers assist migrants to Rhodes Island after the shipwreck. (Photo: THX/TTXVN)

Greek and Turkish rescuers have rescued 16 of the 33-37 migrants believed to be on board. The nationalities of the migrants are not yet known.

More than 135,000 refugees and migrants have arrived in Europe by sea in the first half of this year. Many of them were displaced by war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East, most of them Syrians.

Greece is a popular destination for migrants, despite the country facing one of the worst economic crises in the modern world./.

According to VOV