12 MIGRANTS KILLED IN TWO SHIPWRECKS

ATHENS, OCTOBER 19 /SRNA/ – At least 12 people have been killed in two separate accidents involving boats carrying migrants near the Greek islands of Lesbos and Samos, local media reported.

One of the boats collided with a Greek coast guard vessel southeast of Lesbos overnight, killing six people, including a baby.

According to the state broadcaster, eight people were rescued, while the exact circumstances of the accident are yet to be established.

Meanwhile, a search and rescue operation is underway north of the island of Samos after a second boat carrying migrants capsized.

The Greek news agency ANA-MPA reported that six bodies had been recovered so far and 14 people had been rescued.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees /UNHCR/, migrant arrivals in Greece have declined this year. As of October 11, approximately 25,000 arrivals by sea had been recorded. Throughout last year, around 42,000 people arrived in this way.