3 dead off Greek island after boat carrying migrants gets into trouble

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The Greek coast guard said three people died and five others were rescued when a boat carrying migrants ran into distress off the coast of the eastern Aegean island of Samos.

The Coast Guard said Monday it was unclear how many people were on board the boat (presumably an inflatable boat) and what exactly happened.

A major search and rescue operation was underway in the area northwest of Samos, involving three Coast Guard patrol boats and a private vessel. An Air Force helicopter and its crew were also deployed in case survivors managed to reach the shore.

There was initially no information about the identity or nationality of those rescued or the three recovered bodies.

Greece lies on one of the most popular routes to the European Union for people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Despite a Crackdown by the Greek authorities Along the border with Türkiye, thousands of people manage to get from the Turkish coast to the nearby Greek islands, often in flimsy rubber dinghies.

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