Thirteen migrants sailing from the Turkish coast to the island of Samos were rescued by members of the Greek Coast Guard early Friday morning. On board of the boat was also a woman who had died during the crossing to Greece.
Officials said they found the dead 65-year-old woman. Other passengers said that she passed away during the crossing. Officials suggest that she died of natural causes.
The migrants smuggler reportedly jumped off the boat when it reached near the Kokkari beach in the north-eastern coast of the island.
Arrivals of refugees and migrants have increased again during the summer months setting Greek authorities on alert. New arrivlas increased at 114% when compared to summer 2018.
On Thursday, Turkish president Recept Tayyip Erdogan threatened to “open the gates” and flood Greece and Europe with migrants.
The Greek government is trying to decongest the overcrowded hot spots on the islands in the Eastern Aegean Sea. Moria with capacity of 3,000 is reportedly hosting more than 10,000 people. On Samos, the hot spot with capacity for 650 is hosting 5,000, a report by Ant1 TV showed.
41 migrants form Syria, Iraq and several African countries arrived on Samos on Thursday.
