Bodies are still being recovered after two boats carrying dozens of illegal immigrants capsized early on Monday morning
At least 22 people have died after two boats capsized while attempting to illegally bring immigrants into Greece on Monday.
The Greek coast guard has so far rescued thirty-six people, including three women and a child, but authorities continue to recover bodies from the water.
Rescue workers found the bodies of two women, a man and a boy in the sea, while a further 18 were recovered from inside the yacht after it was lifted out the water.
It’s not yet clear what caused the overloaded yacht and dinghy to capsize off the coast of Samos.
Survivors have reportedly told the coast guard that between 60 and 65 people had been onboard the two vessels when the incident happened.
The nationalities of those rescued have been identified as Somalian, Syrian and Eritreans. Immigration across the sea from Turkey has increased since Greece tightened their land border in recent months.
This is the third fatal migrant boat disaster to happen this year, with 21 people having drowned since the start of 2014.
Search efforts continue today.
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