Three immigrants drown off Greek coast

Three illegal immigrants drowned today after their small boat took on water as it tried to cross from the Turkish coast to the Greek island of Samos.

Coastguard officers rescued 13 immigrants who were also aboard the boat and were searching for another four, Greece's Merchant Marine Ministry said.

The nationality of the immigrants, many of whom were wearing life jackets, is not known.

Dozens of people have drowned in recent years trying to cross from the Turkey to one the many Greek islands near its coast.

PA