21 dead as two refugee boats capsize in Aegean Sea

At least 21 people died Friday as two boats carrying refugees and migrants from Turkey capsized in the Aegean Sea, said the Greek Coast Guard.

There were six children among the victims who drowned in the freezing waters near the islands of Kalolimnos and Farmakonissi, Greek officials said.

In the first accident off Kalolimnos, the Greek Coast Guard have rescued 26 people and recovered 14 dead bodies. Survivors said that there were 50 to 100 people on board.

In the second tragedy off Farmakonissi, the Coast Guard recovered the bodies of six children and one woman after rescuing 40 survivors. Survivors told the authorities that all passengers were accounted for.

Despite bad weather, economic migrants and people fleeing war-torn regions in the Middle East and Asia have been risking their lives to cross over from Turkey to Greece, in a bid to make their way to other European countries.

Turkish smugglers have reduced boat ticket prices for desperate refugees to 500 euros per person, compared to 2,000 euros in summer, according to the Greek authorities.

More than 800,000 people have reached Greek shores in 2015, according to official statistics. The Greek Coast Guard have rescued about 95,000 people, while more than 200 perished in the Aegean Sea, half of whom were children. Endi