17 dead, 20 lost in drowned ship in Aegean Sea

Attempt to rescue migrants at the sea
Attempt to rescue migrants at the seaThe Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms announced on August 30, 2018 its incorporation into migrant rescue operations on the southern coast of Spain, which is experiencing a surge of arrivals after the closure of Italian ports. / AFP PHOTO / PAU BARRENA

DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press)- Greek coastguard announced on Thursday  that 17 people died in rooms of a ship sank off the Greek island of Lesbos in the middle of Aegean Sea.

The Greek coastguard, citing survivors, said the drowned boat was carrying about 40 individuals.

The Greek coastguard indicated five people were rescued, but the nationalities of the survivals were not identified. Mostly, they are residents of Middle East countries.

It added that 17 bodies had been found, and 20 persons were still unaccounted for.

The boat drowned east of the island of Lesbos close the Turkish coast.

A Greek coastguard vessel and an air force helicopter rushed to conduct a search and rescue, but strong winds hampered the effort.

Accidents of drowning migrants occur frequently in the Aegean Seaand Mediterranean Sea, including large numbers of Syrians.

Reporting by Hozan Zubeir