Greek authorities report 20 migrant deaths off Crete

Greek authorities said 20 people died in two boats carrying migrants south of Crete over the weekend, while about 40 people were rescued from those vessels. The Greek coast guard said eight bodies were found on one boat and 12 on the other. The circumstances of the deaths and the identities of the 20 people had not been established in the reports.

The boat carrying 12 bodies was found south of Crete on Monday, according to the coast guard. A passing cargo ship rescued 18 people from that vessel. The coast guard said the boat was about 15 nautical miles south of the island. Authorities said the survivors were being taken to a port on Crete.

The other boat was located during a separate rescue operation that began late Saturday, after it sent an alarm signal, the coast guard said. Twenty-eight survivors and one body were recovered and taken to Crete. Survivors were reported to be Sudanese nationals. Two Sudanese men were arrested after survivors identified them as suspected smugglers, authorities said. One of the men was 16, according to the coast guard; the allegation has not been independently established in the reporting.

The coast guard said that, during the night from Sunday to...