18 migrants found dead on boat drifting in Greece

Eighteen migrants were found dead on a boat drifting off the southern coast of Greece, while two survivors were rescued, Greece's public broadcaster ERT updated its report on Saturday, reported Xinhua.

The vessel was located 26 nautical miles (48.2 km) south of Ierapetra, a town on the southern shore of Crete in southern Greece.

Previous reports said the boat sank off the coast and the bodies of the victims were found in the water. However, the Coast Guard updated information that the boat did not capsize, but was found adrift in rough seas. The bodies of the 18 victims were discovered inside the vessel.

Initial assessments said it might be hypothermia and starvation after prolonged exposure to severe weather that caused their death.

The two survivors told authorities that the vessel had been left adrift due to bad weather, and that they had 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 located.

Greek authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.