A wooden boat carrying illegal immigrants of Afghan origin into Greece sank early on Friday morning as it approached the Aegean island of Samos, killing at least three of the people on board, the semi-official Athens News Agency reported.

The coast guard was alerted by two survivors that managed to swim to shore and immediately launched a search in the surrounding area, in which three dead bodies were recovered.

Another 12 immigrants out of an estimated 17 on board the craft have also been picked up alive and are being held at the Samos coastguard headquarters.

The search for the two immigrants that are still missing is continuing.

Source: Xinhua