Immigrant drowns, 19 rescued, after boat capsizes

One man drowned and 19 were rescued today after a boat carrying illegal immigrants capsized and sank near the eastern Aegean Sea island of Lesbos.

The Merchant Marine Ministry said 12 of the immigrants were rescued at sea, while seven others swam ashore. Their nationalities were not immediately known.

Thousands of immigrants enter European Union member Greece illegally each year, many travelling to Greek islands from the nearby Turkish coast.

Three of the immigrants rescued today were admitted to hospital with symptoms of hypothermia and exhaustion.