Rescue operation to locate missing immigrants off Lesvos continues

The eight undocumented migrants rescued after the capsizing of their dinghy off Lesvos island early on Tuesday were transferred to the Mytilene port to receive first aid and medical care while Greek Coast Guard continues its operation to locate two other missing migrants.

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Seventeen undocumented migrants were on a dinghy that sank off cave Korakas near the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos early on Tuesday. Seven people, among them two minors and three women were found drowned and their bodies were sent to Lesvos port.

According to the Shipping Ministry, Coast Guard's Rescue and Operation Center was informed by the relevant Turkish center in Ankara that a Tukish freighter that was in the area rescued two undocumented migrants.

A rescue operation was launched immediately to locate the missing undocumented migrants. Five Coast Guard patrol vessels, a Super Puma helicopter, a tanker and the ferry Theofilos took part in the operation according to AMA-MPA

A few hours later the authorities were informed that the sunken dinghy was found by a freighter 2.3 nautical miles off Korakas cape.

A fishing boat and divers located inside the dinghy five bodies (three women, a man and a boy). The bodies of two other migrants (a man and a girl) were also located in the area.

Moreover, six more undocumented migrants were found in the same sea region who were rescued by a Turkish Coast Guard vessel. The rescued migrants were tranferred to Mytilene port.

The rescue operation continues.