ATHENS, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Greece has launched a large-scale rescue operation off the southwestern coast of Crete island as a boat carrying hundreds of migrants and refugees was drifting in rough seas, national news agency AMNA reported on Tuesday.
Approximately 500 people were aboard the vessel, according to passengers who called for help via the European call number 112, the report said.
Strong winds of up to 7 on the Beaufort scale were blowing in the area, as two cargo ships, a tanker and two Italian fishing boats were participating in the search, according to AMNA. ■