Eighteen migrants were found dead on a boat drifting off the southern coast of Crete, while two survivors were rescued, Greece’s public broadcaster ERT reported Saturday.
The vessel was located 26 nautical miles south of Ierapetra. Authorities initially said the boat had sunk, but later confirmed it was found adrift in rough seas with the victims’ bodies inside.
Officials said hypothermia and starvation after prolonged exposure to severe weather may have caused the deaths.
The two survivors told authorities the vessel had been left adrift in bad weather and that they struggled for hours without food or shelter. The Coast Guard said the victims had been dead for more than a day before the boat was found.
Greek authorities have launched an investigation.