Greek coast guard vessels and helicopters conducted a search and rescue mission on Friday after a boat carrying 25 illegal immigrants issued distress calls in the Aegean, DPA reported. Officials at the Ministry of Merchant Marine said they received a call from one of the immigrants that the vessel was in trouble. It was not immediately clear the exact number or origin of the immigrants travelling on the boat. A helicopter was immediately dispatched to sea area off the island of Farmakoniki, in the southeastern Aegean. The ministry said gale-force winds were blowing in the area.
