At least four migrants died in the eastern Aegean Sea on Monday when a small boat carrying them from neighbouring Turkey sank near the island of Samos, Greek authorities reported.
The coast guard said five more people were rescued after the accident, but it was unclear how many were on the boat or if they were missing.
The bodies of the four women were recovered in a massive search and rescue operation involving three Coast Guard patrol boats, a private vessel and an Air Force helicopter. Crews also searched ashore in case survivors managed to make it to shore.
The Coast Guard said several migrants were later found on the island of Samos, but it was not immediately clear whether they were survivors of the shipwreck or had arrived separately. At least 30 migrants were initially on board the ship, according to the coastguard.
Greece was a favourite entry point into the European Union for migrants and refugees from the Middle East, Africa and Asia in 2015-2016, when about 1 million people landed on its islands, mostly in inflatable boats. The flow of people declined but increased again last year.
