12 migrants found dead in boat off Greece's Crete as hundreds arrive from Libya

Greek authorities recovered 12 bodies from a boat carrying migrants off the southern coast of Crete on Monday, while a passing cargo ship rescued 18 survivors from the same vessel, the coast guard said.The boat was located about 15 nautical miles (28 km) south of Crete early on Monday.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of those who died or the circumstances surrounding their deaths.Two other boats carrying 47 and 40 people were also spotted sailing south of the island.

All the rescued migrants were being taken to a port on Crete's southern coast, the Associated Press reported.The incident comes amid a sharp increase in migrant arrivals on the island from Libya, prompting Greece to prepare for a possible migration crisis.Greece prepares for migration crisis on CreteMigration and asylum minister Thanos Plevris said 1,700 people had arrived from Libya in the first three days of November.