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Greek Coast Guard searches for refugee boat off Peloponnese

Xinhua, November 26, 2016 Adjust font size:

A rescue operation for 150 people aboard a refugee boat off the Peloponnese was underway on Saturday, the Greek Coast Guard said.

Greek authorities were alerted that the boat was at risk of sinking when one of the passengers made a telephone call to the European emergency number 112.

Greek Coast Guard speedboats and eight vessels that were sailing in the area southwest of Pylos city in the south Peloponnese participated in the efforts to locate the boat. Winds of up to Grade Five on the Beaufort Scale are blowing in the area.

Although the number of people crossing the Aegean has fallen dramatically this year compared to 2015, thousands of refugees and migrants are still taking the perilous journey.

According to Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, some 3,100 people arrived in October on the Greek islands. The three main nationalities on this route were Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans. Endi