Around a dozen migrants missing after boat sinks off Greece

More than 5,000 refugees have drowned in the past 18 months as they seek safety and a new life in Europe

Between 11 and 15 migrants trying to reach Europe by boat are missing off the Greek Aegean island of Agathonissi, near the Turkish coast, after their vessel sank, the Greek coastguard said Tuesday. One body was recovered from the sea, while Greek vessels saved eight survivors and the Turks picked up 13, one coastguard official told AFP. The survivors told authorities between 33 and 37 people in total had been on the boat before it went down. Greece was using a helicopter, two patrol boats and a navy vessel to look for other survivors. Greece is one of the main entry points into the European Union for migrants making risky sea voyages, the number of which has greatly increased in recent months.