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One Migrant Dead, Three Missing in Aegean Sea Sinking

A would-be immigrant died and three others were missing on Thursday after their boat sank near Turkey in an attempted crossing of the Aegean Sea, the Greek coastguard said.

The accident occurred in Turkish waters near the Greek island of Rhodes.

Overall, 19 migrants, whose nationalities are unknown, were attempting to make the crossing to Europe.

The 15 survivors were rescued in a joint operation by Greek and Turkish coastguards.

Greece is one of the main ports of entry into the European Union for those fleeing war-torn and impoverished countries in Africa, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent.

Refugee arrivals have increased over the past year because of the ongoing war in Syria.

Twelve immigrants from Afghanistan and Syria, including women and children, died in January in another sinking.

Survivors of the incident said their boat capsized while Greek coastguards were towing them back to the Turkish coast at high speed.

An investigation is ongoing.

Source: Agence France Presse


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