Doha: The Greek Coast Guard announced that a Frontex vessel sank Monday in the Aegean Sea during a migrant rescue operation, confirming that other vessels immediately rescued the crew members. A Greek Coast Guard official said that the EU Border Agency ship sank after hitting a coral reef near the island of Lesbos.
According to Qatar News Agency, the ship was participating in the rescue of migrants in the area amid strong winds, confirming that the ship's six-member crew is safe. The operation began after 36 migrants on a beach on Lesbos reported to authorities that other members of their group were missing at sea.
The Greek Coast Guard confirmed that the search is still ongoing. Frontex, the European Union's Border and Coast Guard Agency, supports EU member states in securing external borders.