12 refugees dead as boat from Turkey sinks near Lesbos

By Idyli Tsakiri

ATHENS (AA) - Twelve refugees died and a dozen more are missing after a boat carrying them from Turkey to Lesbos sank in the Aegean, the Greek authorities confirmed on Monday.

According to the Greek Maritime Ministry, a boat carrying migrants and refugees left Turkey late on Sunday night but appeared to have sunk after entering Greek waters.

Frontex -- the EU’s border security agency -- and the Greek authorities have recovered eight bodies so far, including one of a child, while two women -- one of them pregnant -- have been rescued and transported to the island.

The Turkish coast guard has recovered the bodies of four more people.

One of the rescued women told the Greek authorities about 25 people had been on board, ministry sources told Anadolu Agency. That brings the number of those still missing to more than ten.

A search-and-rescue operation is ongoing with coast guards, private and Greek navy craft, as well as Frontex boats and helicopters taking part.