Greece Picks Up 170 Illegal Aliens

27.Dec.01,  first published by Associated Press: read the original article here.

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Greek coast guard vessels on Thursday picked up about 170 illegal migrants discovered on a small Aegean Sea island, authorities said.

The immigrants were found on the islet of Gioura off the island of Alonissos and were being ferried by boat to the mainland port of Volos. Their nationalities were not immediately known. They are believed to have reached the island on a wooden fishing boat that foundered just off its coast.

Greece often intercepts boats carrying illegal migrants in its waters. But many migrants go undetected until they have been dropped off on an island or the mainland.

Tens of thousands of people attempt to enter Greece illegally each year, often to gain access to other countries in the European Union.