At least 16 migrants have been killed and 30 others missing after two boats sank in separate incidents in Greek waters.
About 80 migrants have been rescued after their boat crashed near cliffs in stormy weather near the island of Kythera in southern Greece.
The rescue operation took place after dozens of people rushed to the beach near the port in the village of Diakofti.
One resident described a boat “crashing against the rocks” and people climbing onto the boat to “save themselves”.
It was an amazing show,” said Martha Stathacki. “All the locals came to the port to try to help.”
Rescuers lowered ropes to the dock to help survivors climb the cliffs to safety.
Survivors said about 15 of them were still missing.
Local officials said a nearby school had also opened to provide shelter for survivors.
With many people still missing, Navy divers are expected to continue searching the area on Thursday.
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In the east, rescuers excavated a total of 16 bodies near the island of Lesbos after a boat carrying around 40 people ran into difficulty on Wednesday evening.
Nine people were rescued and fifteen are still missing.
Most migrants arriving in Greece travel from neighboring Turkey, but in recent months smugglers have changed their routes to avoid the intensely policed waters around the Greek islands off the Turkish coast.
Greece has tightened its immigration policy in recent years and regularly hijacks boats at sea – a move criticized by some human rights groups.
Turkey has repeatedly criticized Turkey for failing to take adequate measures to prevent migrants from making the dangerous journey.
Kythira is about 450 kilometers west of Turkey and is part of a route often used by smugglers to bypass Greece and head straight for Italy.
