Two capsizings off Greek islands kill 12 migrants

Six people died late Sunday when a speedboat carrying Syrian and Palestinian migrants hit a coast guard vessel south of Lesbos and capsized, Greece's coast guard said. An infant was among the dead, and eight people were rescued, including a suspected smuggler.

Passengers still missing off Samos

3 missing

Another speedboat capsized north of Samos at dawn Monday, killing five men and one woman. About 15 people were rescued, and a vessel and a helicopter are searching for three missing passengers.

"Our position is clear: zero tolerance for people smugglers," said Vasilis Kikilias, Greece's maritime affairs minister.

— Vasilis Kikilias, Greek maritime affairs minister

Eastern Mediterranean crossings, first three quarters

31,800 crossings

About 31,800 crossings were recorded on the eastern Mediterranean route in the first three quarters of the year, down 15 per cent from a year earlier, according to Frontex, the EU's border agency.