Crete migrant deaths rise to 20, coast guard says

Greece's coast guard said Monday that about 20 migrants have died over the past few days trying to reach the island of Crete.

Rescuers found 12 bodies in one boat off the island on Monday, in addition to eight bodies found earlier in a separate boat, officials said. About 40 people have been rescued, rescuers said.

In the earlier weekend sinking, maritime police launched an emergency rescue late Saturday after a boat carrying migrants issued an alarm signal. The coast guard said strong winds made sea conditions difficult.

Authorities earlier said about 28 survivors and one body, all Sudanese nationals, were picked up by another boat sailing nearby, transferred to a police vessel and taken to Crete. During the night from Sunday to Monday, a coast guard rescue vessel found the migrant boat 10 nautical miles south of Crete with seven more bodies still on board, the coast guard said.

Crete has become one of the main entry points into the European Union for migrants departing from Libya and attempting the crossing to Greece. Many attempted crossings turn deadly when vessels sink.