KABUL (Pajhwok): At least one person has died and 20 others are believed to be missing after a boat carrying migrants from Libya to the Greek island of Crete took on water and became stranded, according to reports.
The Associated Press reported Monday, citing Greek authorities, that the boat was travelling from Libya to Crete when it took on water and became stranded about 75 kilometres south of the island.
The Greek coast guard rescued 51 people from the site, while 20 others remain missing and a search and rescue operation is underway, the report said.
Coast guard patrol boats, a helicopter, a drone and several commercial vessels are involved in the search operation, while the European Union’s border protection agency, Frontex, is also assisting, according to the report.
The Mediterranean route from eastern Libya to Crete has become one of the busiest migration routes into Europe, as migrant traffic on some other routes has declined, the Associated Press reported.
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