ATHENS, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- A major search and rescue operation was underway Sunday night after a migrant boat carrying at least 77 people capsized and sank some 38 nautical miles south of Gavdos, a Greek island south of Crete, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported.
Greek authorities said 52 people had been rescued, while at least 25 remained missing. One person was found unconscious.
Several vessels from the Greek Coast Guard and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), as well as a Greek Air Force helicopter and Frontex aircraft, were involved in the rescue operation.
The boat was reported to have capsized and subsequently sank. Greek authorities had not released information on its specific type or the nationalities of those aboard.
Gavdos is Greece's southernmost inhabited island and lies south of Crete in the Libyan Sea. The waters south of the island have become a major route for migrant boats traveling toward Greece from North Africa.
The search operation was continuing Sunday night. ■
