A major rescue operation was carried out by the Greek coast guard this night near Cape Maleas in the southeastern part of the Peloponnese peninsula, reported the state television ERT, quoted by BTA.

During the operation, 75 people were saved - 69 men and 6 women - who were traveling in a sailing yacht.

All are in good health and have been taken to the port of Naples.

A distress call was made to the emergency number 112. The passengers reported that the vessel had suffered a technical breakdown.

Two coast guard vessels, three nearby vessels and a tug immediately went to the scene and found the migrants on board.

Frontex has confirmed a case of naked migrants abandoned off the Greek coast of Maritsa

Migrant traffic by sea from Turkey to Italy has increased significantly in recent times, although this sea route carries significant risks.

Earlier this month, two separate shipwrecks off the Greek islands of Lesvos and Kythira killed at least 23 migrants and rescued dozens more.

Greece

migrants