Search and Rescue efforts may have saved about 242 refugees and migrants, even as three bodies, comprising of two kids and an adult male were recovered following drowning, amidst strong winds and worsening weather, off the Greek Coast on Wednesday.
Authorities and witnesses however confirmed to NBC News that scores of migrants, including young children, were feared drowned off the Greek islands after their frail, wooden ship sunk.
“About 120 others on a boat with 200 passengers were rescued”, a witness indicated, hinting that about 80 may still be missing.
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Meanwhile, 10 children were given CPR on the beach on the island of Lesbos for more than 20 minutes, highlighted the witness, even though their conditions weren’t immediately known.
Officials said that, in total, about 242 refugees and migrants were transferred to the beaches of Molyvos and Petra following a search and rescue operation that began Wednesday morning and included a helicopter and two Coast Guard vessels.
Most of those rescued were suffering from hypothermia and given thermal blankets; raising higher possibility of more deaths in the latest tragedy in the migrant crisis gripping Greece, which is considered a main entry point for Middle Eastern and African nationals seeking better lives in Europe.
An estimated 500,000 refugees and migrants have entered Greece so far this year.