A boat carrying illegal migrants to Greece caught fire off the southern Aegean Sea island of Crete on June 23, resulting in the injury of eight persons, according to Greek Coast Guard officials.
The small vessel was spotted by Coast Guard speedboats, while sailing at about 12 nautical miles off the city of Ierapetra. For yet unclear reasons, fire had broken out in its engine.
According to early information there were 20 men and three women on board. The nationalities of the undocumented immigrants have not been clarified.
They were transferred to the city of Herakleion, where the eight injured received first aid. Most have suffered mild burns, with the exception of one person who is in more severe condition, according to hospital sources.
Tens of thousands of people try to illegally enter Greece each year and then continue their journey to other European countries, and several lose their lives in sea tragedies.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
