Greek coast guard rescues 1,244 migrants in Aegean Sea
Greek authorities say 1,244 refugees and economic migrants have been rescued from frail craft in danger over the past three days in the Aegean Sea, as thousands continue to arrive on the Greek islands.
A coast guard statement Monday said rescuers responded to a total 34 incidents since Friday morning, near the islands of Lesbos -- where most migrants head -- Chios, Samos, Kos, Kalolimnos and Megisti.
The count does not include thousands more people who safely made the short but often deadly crossing from nearby Turkey's western coast.
Greece is the main point of entry for hundreds of thousands of people from the Middle East and Africa seeking a better life in Europe. Several hundreds have drowned making the crossing, which is arranged by smuggling gangs in Turkey.
