145 migrants towed to safety
Authorities detained 145 illegal immigrants yesterday, including 15 children, who were found stranded on a wooden fishing boat off the Attica coast after the vessel experienced engine problems. One of the mostly Iraqi illegal immigrants had called for help from a mobile phone after the boat was hit by a storm between the islands of Makronisos and Kea. The boat was towed to the port of Lavrion and the immigrants were taken to a hospital for medical checks. All of them were found to be in good condition. One of the immigrants was found trying to send a text message as coast guard officials were getting on the boat, raising suspicions that he was tipping off those involved in the human trafficking. Three of the immigrants have been held for questioning.
