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, according to dpa. The Greek Ministry of the Merchant Marine said they received a call from one of the immigrants that the vessel was in trouble. A helicopter was immediately dispatched to the sea area off the island of Farmakoniki, in the south-eastern Aegean. An official at the ministry said, on condition of anonymity, that the vessel was picked up by the Turkish coast guard since it was discovered sailing in their waters. It was not immediately clear the exact number or origin of the immigrants travelling on the boat. Tens of thousands of illegal immigrants attempt to enter European Union member Greece every year, mainly from neighbouring Turkey, the Middle East and Africa.
