Twenty-two migrants die, 26 rescued off Greek coast

22 migrants have reportedly died off the coast of Greece after spending six days in a rubber dinghy at sea.

According to AFP news based on the Greek coast guard, 26 more people were rescued off the island of Crete by a ship belonging to the European border agency Frontex.

Survivors said the bodies of those killed were thrown into the sea.

The coast guard said the two survivors were taken to hospital in Heraklion, Crete.

Based on statements from survivors, the coast guard added that the boat left Tobruk, a port city in eastern Libya, on March 21 and headed for Greece, the gateway for many migrants seeking asylum in the European Union.

“During the journey, the passengers lost their bearings and were left at sea for six days without food or water,” the coast guard said.

It was stated that the bodies of the dead were “thrown into the sea by the order of one of the smugglers.”

Greek authorities have arrested two South Sudanese men, aged 19 and 22, who are believed to be smugglers.

Greece is one of the main entry points into the European Union for people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia; many make short but often dangerous journeys from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands in inflatable boats.

Agencies