Authorities detained 119 illegal immigrants on a beach close to Hania, Crete, yesterday when the boat they were traveling in ran aground close to the shore, resulting in the death of one migrant.

The immigrants, all males aged between 25-40, told authorities that they were from Pakistan and were headed for a port in Italy.

They had started their journey from Alexandria, Egypt, on Tuesday.

However, rough weather caused their 12-meter wooden boat to run onto rocks close to Hania at about 4 a.m. yesterday.

Most of them managed to reach the shore but one man drowned.

Police said that they had launched a search using a helicopter for three more immigrants believed to be missing.

The men, generally in good health, were taken to a boarding school in Hania, where they received medical treatment.

Authorities said that they were searching for the boat’s captain and one of its crew, who may be among the detained immigrants.