At least one person died and two remain missing after a migrant boat with 100 passengers on board sank near the southern Greek island of Crete. Incidents in this region of the Mediterranean have been increasing as smugglers seek new routes between Africa and Europe in a bid to avert sea patrols.
Coast guard rescuers have been searching for two people who remain missing from the incident, which took place near the Greek island of Crete.
The body of one man was recovered, while 97 people were saved by a cargo ship that was passing in the area.
The Greek coast guard said the survivors were taken to the island of Crete. One woman reportedly had to be hospitalized.
The reasons for the boat's sinking were not immediately clear; an investigation has been launched.
Read AlsoShipwreck off Crete: Greek coast guard rescues 42, searches for missing
Up to 10,000 euros for dangerous journey
Survivors told the coast guard that they had set out for Greece from Tobruk in Libya, located about 150 kilometers west of the border with Egypt, several days earlier.
In total, there were 85 men, two women and 10 minors among the survivors. Greek authorities added that they arrested two of the survivors, whom they suspected to be people smugglers.
The smugglers reportedly charged the migrants up to 10,000 euros per person for the perilous journey, according to the Associated Press (AP).
This incident follows another shipwreck earlier in the week, in which two women and two children died off the eastern Greek island of Kos when their boat capsized. Another 27 people were rescued.
Read AlsoMigrant death in Greek police custody raises concerns
New routes
Tens of thousands of people continue to head to Greece and its islands, fleeing war, poverty and persecution in many cases or looking for better opportunities.
Those who reach Greece leave from Turkey in most instances, however, an increase in sea patrols has led to new routes being used, such as the one from Libya's east to the Greek island of Crete.
Among those trying to make the sea crossing are people from all around the world, with Asians, Africans and Middle Easterners all coming to North Africa in the hopes of making the crossing to Europe.
According to the UNHCR, more than 42,000 migrants have managed to reach Greece so far this year, with the vast majority arriving by the sea route.
Read AlsoInvestigation claims Greek coast guard responsible for 'dozens' of migrant deaths
with AP