Three dead after refugee boat capsizes off Greece's Samos island

ATHENS, March 7 (Xinhua) -- A man and two children lost their lives on Thursday when a boat carrying refugees from Turkey to Greece capsized off the island of Samos on the Aegean Sea, according to Greek Coast Guard.

Twelve refugees and migrants were on board the dinghy, survivors told local authorities. There were no missing persons, according to initial information.

Although migrant flows from Turkey into Greece have shrank in the past three years, dozens still risk their lives on a daily basis seeking refuge to Europe.

A total of 32,115 persons landed on Greek islands in 2018 crossing the Aegean Sea on boats from Turkish coasts, according to data released by the Greek migration policy ministry earlier this week.

In addition, 15,814 migrants and refugees entered Greece in 2018 via the land border with Turkey in the northern Greece. Enditem