Greek authorities rescue dozens of migrants on small boats in Aegean Sea

Greek authorities rescued nearly 80 migrants in inflatable dinghies trying to cross from Turkey to the nearby eastern Aegean Sea islands in three separate incidents, the coast guard says.

In recent weeks, Greece has seen a rise in such arrivals, mostly in small unseaworthy boats provided by smugglers.

A coast guard statement says a patrol boat located 41 people early Saturday on an inflatable dinghy that was drifting off the island of Lesbos. All were safely evacuated and taken to a reception center on the island.

Following a chase earlier in the day, a coast guard patrol boat stopped another dinghy carrying 17 people near the eastern Aegean islets of Arkii. The migrants were taken to the island of Patmos, while one of them was arrested on suspicion of belonging to a smuggling ring.

Late Friday, another boat carrying 17 people was found adrift off the island of Samos. One of the migrants required medical treatment, while the rest were taken to a reception center on Samos.

Greek officials have blamed the increase in arrivals largely on conflicts in Africa that are adding pressure on the main smuggling routes to Europe, and also on a burgeoning black market industry in Turkey that produces low-quality inflatable boats. Better summer sailing conditions have also contributed to the hike in numbers.