Greek coastguard rescue 120 illegal immigrants

Greek coastguard vessels yesterday guided a ship carrying 120 illegal immigrants to safety after the captain issued a distress signal while sailing in international waters off the Peloponese, officials said.

The merchant marine ministry said the ship had probably left Egypt on its way to Europe but ran into mechanical problems and was guided to the port of Katakolo on the western Peloponese.

"The 120 illegal immigrants are now disembarking and with the presence of a prosecutor the coastguard officers will arrest the crew for illegally transporting people," it said in a statement.

The ministry, which had been tracking the vessel for two days, did not give any details on the nationality of the migrants and the crew or the flag of the ship.

Greece has seen a sharp rise in illegal immigration over the past few years and has been enforcing tighter sea and land patrols to stop a growing flow of refugees into the country.