A migrant vessel sank last night in the Mesaria sea area off Samos, near the Turkish coast, triggering a large-scale sea...

A migrant vessel sank last night in the Mesaria sea area off Samos, near the Turkish coast, triggering a large-scale search and rescue operation. The Turkish coast guard recovered 34 people from the water, but between three and six individuals remain missing. Greek coast guard forces launched an immediate response in the waters north and northeast of Karlovassi. Three coast guard patrol vessels, the rescue boat "Albatros" operated by the Greek Rescue Team, and a Super Puma helicopter are all taking part in the operation. Ground searches are also underway along the coastline, with coast guard and police units combing the shore. The search is still ongoing as of this report. The area sits in a notoriously dangerous stretch of the Aegean between Samos and the Turkish coast, where irregular crossings frequently take place. No information has been released yet on the nationalities of those on board. The Turkish coast guard's involvement in the initial recovery suggests the vessel went down on the Turkish side of the maritime zone before any Greek units could reach it. Coordination between the two countries' coast guards in active rescue operations is standard procedure in this part of the Aegean. #Samos #Immigration #GreekCoastGuard