One of the people on board called the emergency services with his mobile phone. A blind girl was also on board, Greek media reported.
The Greek coast guard lashed out in the media at the practices of the “criminal smuggling gangs”. They put migrants in Turkey who want to flee to Europe on rickety boats, even in dangerous weather conditions, it was said.
Greece has significantly increased controls between the Greek islands and Turkey in recent years. Most migrants trying to reach the European Union that way are driven back to Turkish waters. But when the boat people get into trouble, they are rescued and taken to Greece.
