Greek coast guard searching for immigrants after distress calls

By SPA

Athens : Greek coast guard vessels and helicopters conducted a search and rescue mission on Friday after a boat carrying 25 illegal immigrants issued distress calls in the Aegean, DPA reported.

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Officials at the Ministry of Merchant Marine said they received a call from one of the immigrants that the vessel was in trouble.

It was not immediately clear the exact number or origin of the immigrants travelling on the boat.

A helicopter was immediately dispatched to sea area off the island of Farmakoniki, in the southeastern Aegean.

The ministry said gale-force winds were blowing in the area.