Greece: 24 migrants saved a day after boat deaths

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek authorities say 24 immigrants have been rescued after they were found floundering off an Aegean Sea island where at least 22 people died in a separate incident a day earlier.

A coastguard statement says a Greek coastguard patrol boat entered Turkish waters early Tuesday to pick up the migrants. It waited until a Turkish patrol boat arrived to escort them to mainland Turkey.

The rescue took place in a strait between the Turkish coast and the Greek eastern island of Samos that is favored by people-smugglers.

Greek authorities are still searching by sea and air for up to seven people still believed missing after a yacht carrying up to 65 migrants capsized off Samos before dawn Monday, with the loss of at least 22 lives. There were 36 survivors.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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