Jan 28 Twelve migrants drowned when their boat sank off a Greek island close to Turkey, the Greek coastguard said on Thursday, as people continue to make crossings to Europe despite the harsh winter conditions.
"A man who managed to swim to the shore told Greek authorities the boat carried 40 to 45 people," a coastguard official said.
The sinking occurred late on Wednesday north of the island of Samos in the eastern Aegean Sea, close to the Turkish coast.
Nine people have been rescued so far, and Frontex and coastguard vessels are looking for other survivors.
More than 600,000 refugees and migrants fleeing Syria, Afghanistan and other war-torn countries arrived in Greece from Turkey last year, risking the short but dangerous sea crossing, often on inflatable rafts.
Hundreds have drowned.
