Three dead as migrant boat sinks south of Crete, says Greek coastguard

An EU Frontex vessel rescued 56 people after a boat capsized and recovered three bodies, officials said

At least three people died when a boat carrying wouldbe migrants sank south of the island of Crete, the Greek coastguard said Tuesday.

A coastguard spokeswoman told AFP the incident occurred in near-gale winds near the small island of Gavdos, south of Crete.

A Europea Union Frontex agency vessel rescued 56 persons "whose boat apparently capsized, and found three bodies," she said.

A search for other people had started, the spokeswoman added.

Gavdos is on a migration route used by smugglers operating out of Libyan ports.

Another boat with 28 people on board was intercepted in the area on Monday.

The UN refugee agency estimates that over 1,700 people have died or are missing on Mediterranean and West Africa Atlantic migration routes this year.