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Three dead, 302 rescued from sinking refugee vessel off Crete: Greek Coast Guard

Xinhua, June 3, 2016 Adjust font size:

Three people were found dead and 302 more rescued from a sinking vessel during an operation off the south coast of Crete island on Friday, the Greek Coast Guard said.

Greek Coast Guard spokesman Nikos Lagadianos didn't specify on the number of people on the 25-meter-long wooden ship, which was located some 75 nautical miles off Kali Limenes.

According to unconfirmed initial estimates, up to 700 migrants and refugees were on the vessel, which sent a distress call after it took on water. It is believed that the ship was on its way from North Africa to Italy.

Two Greek Coast Guard vessels have been dispatched, in addition to a Coast Guard airplane and three Greek Navy and Air Force helicopters, according to a Greek Coast Guard press release.

The Greek Coast Guard stressed that the sea region was within Egypt's Flight Information Region (FIR) and the Italian Coast Guard was initially alerted, however they rushed to the rescue along with five vessels sailing nearby. Endi