Authorities said that the Greek coastguard found eight bodies - six women and two minors - of migrants who drowned in the Aegean sea off the island Samos.

The coast guard reported that Greek police discovered 36 more people alive on Samos' northern coast. Three people trapped in a rocky part of the island were rescued by the coast guard.

It added that aircraft and vessels were involved in a search-and-rescue operation.

A coast guard official said that authorities were alerted by a nongovernmental organization and estimated that around 50 people were aboard the vessel which brought them off Samos.

Greece is located in the southeast corner, which is the European Union. It has been the preferred gateway for refugees and migrants from the Middle East and Africa to enter Europe.

In 2015-2016, more than 1 million people crossed the border from Turkey to Greece’s easternmost islands. Many people have drowned trying to make the dangerous journey in flimsy vessels.

The number of arrivals dropped, then surged again last year.

About 54,000 migrants reached Greece so far this year. This is the second highest number of migrants in southern Europe after Italy. According to UNHCR data, the vast majority arrived by boat. Reporting by Yannis Soulieotis, Alkis Konstantinidis. Writing by Antonis Pohitos, Renee Maltezou. Editing by William Maclean and Gareth Jones.

(source: Reuters)