A major rescue operation was launched in the Mediterranean on Tuesday (November 25) after a freighter ship, thought to be carrying some 700 migrants, reported engine failure.
Four merchant ships, a Greek navy frigate and an air force rescue helicopter were sent to the area to evacuate the vessel if necessary. The ship is currently being towed to nearby Crete.
Greece is a popular entry point into Europe for thousands of undocumented migrants from Asia and Africa.
In September Athens warned that it was slipping into a “danger zone” without adequate funds or resources to handle the growing number of refugees from war-torn nations such as Syria and Iraq.
