1 irregular migrant dies from boat sinking close to Crete

By Magda Panoutsopoulou

ATHENS (AA) – One irregular migrant was found dead while 69 others were rescued from a sinking boat 30 nautical miles southwest of Chania on the Greek island of Crete, said an official statement on Monday.

The causes of the sinking boat carrying so many migrants are being investigated, the Hellenic Coast Guard said in the statement.

The boat, which has had four women and five children on board, had no known destination.

The coast guard dispatched a cargo ship flying the Marshall Islands flag to rescue the irregular migrants from the sinking boat, the statement said

Two passengers were taken to a hospital for medical care, while the others were brought to Kantanos Selinos, Chania and given first aid, it added.

The Central Port Authority of Chania is now conducting a preliminary investigation.​​​​​​​