At least 16 dead and dozens missing after two migrant boats sink off Greece

At least 15 people have died after two boats carrying migrants sank in Greek waters, and rescuers are looking for dozens still missing (Ippolytos Prekas/kythera.new/AP)

Residents of a Greek island pulled shipwrecked migrants to safety up steep cliffs in dramatic rescues after two boats sank, leaving at least 16 people dead and dozens of others still missing.

The coast guard said 16 bodies – all of young African women – had been recovered overnight near the eastern island of Lesbos after a dinghy carrying about 40 people sank.