The Greek coastguard reported that a tragic incident occurred on Wednesday, resulting in the death of 17 migrants after their boat overturned and sank off the Peloponnese.

Approximately 100 individuals were successfully rescued in an extensive operation conducted in the Ionian Sea, despite the challenges posed by strong winds.

The rescue efforts involved navy vessels, an army plane and helicopter, and six other boats in the vicinity. The migrants who were saved were being transported to Kalamata, with four individuals in critical condition being airlifted to the hospital. T

he coastguard revealed that a surveillance plane from the European agency Frontex had spotted the boat the previous day, but the passengers had refused assistance.

None of the individuals aboard were wearing life jackets, and their nationalities were not immediately disclosed.

Authorities believe the migrants had embarked from Libya en route to Italy. In a separate incident, a sailboat carrying approximately 80 migrants in distress near Crete was rescued by a coastguard patrol and taken to port.

Greece, along with Italy and Spain, has historically been a primary entry point for individuals seeking to reach Europe from Africa and the Middle East.

Greece is currently experiencing an increase in attempted crossings from Turkey, particularly along southern routes near the Cyclades islands and the Peloponnese peninsula, as migrants seek to evade patrols in the northern Aegean Sea.

While rescue operations are frequent, last month the Greek government faced international criticism after video footage emerged purportedly showing the forceful expulsion of migrants left adrift at sea.

Greece, along with other EU member states located in the southern and southeastern regions of the bloc, asserts that they are unfairly burdened with managing the arrival of undocumented migrants.