1st LD Writethru: Vessel with 200 migrants sinks off Rhodes island

A vessel carrying approximately 200 illegal migrants sank off the coasts of Rhodes island in southeastern Aegean Sea on Monday, local authorities said.

At least three people were killed, according to unconfirmed information by local media.

A rescue operation by the Greek Coast Guard was underway.

According to initial information, most of the passengers landed safely with the help of locals and tourists when the vessel run aground at a beach and sank within minutes.

Local media reported that survivors said most passengers were refugees from war-torn Syria.

It was unclear yet whether there were people trapped inside the vessel.

The incident occurred a day after hundreds of migrants and refugees lost their lives in a similar tragedy taking place off the coast of Italy's Lampedusa island.

Greece and Italy are two key transit points for people entering Europe illegally to seek a better life for years. Thousands of people have lost their lives in the Mediterranean Sea in the process. Endi