The bodies of eight people were recovered from the sea off the island of Samos on Monday morning, after a dinghy carrying migrants sank.
The bodies belonged to two women and six children, the Greek Coast Guard said in a statement.
So far, 36 people have been rescued, among them is reportedly also the human trafficker. Another three migrants were found on a rocky shore in the northern coast of Samos.
Local media reported that the 36 migrants managed to get on shore in Galazio-Agia Paraskevi area and reach the chapel of Agios Antonios. There, they started a fire to get warm. The fire, however, spread quickly out of control due to the strong winds blowing in the area. It was reportedly the prompt intervention of the Fire Service that extinguished the blaze, after it had burned down 300 square meters of forest land, though.
It is estimated that there were a total of 50 people on board of the boat.
According to media, authorities were notified by email and phone from NGOs operating in the area about the incident that occurred in a rough sea with wind blowing with intensity of 5 to 6 Beaufort.
