Greece searches for dozens after migrant boat sinks off Karpathos

Greek authorities say a big search and rescue operation has been launched east of the island of Karpathos after a boat reportedly carrying dozens of migrants and refugees sank overnight.

The coast guard said on Wednesday that 29 people, all men, had been rescued from the sea 33 nautical miles east southeast of Karpathos, a southeastern island between Rhodes and Crete.

Those rescued were from Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran, and told authorities there had been about 60 to 80 people on board the vessel when it went down, the coast guard said.

Those rescued said the boat had set sail from the Antalya area on the southern Turkish coast and was aiming for Italy when it ran into trouble during the night.