Cliff rescue of shipwrecked migrants with dozens missing

SHIPWRECKED migrants were pulled to safety up cliffs after two boats sank in stormy waters off Greek islands, with dozens feared dead.

In one of the incidents, 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. Nine women were rescued, while 15 others were believed to be missing, officials said.

“The women who were rescued were in a full state of panic so we are still trying to work out what happened,” coastguard spokesman Nikos Kokkalas told state television. “The women were all from African countries, aged 20 upward.” A coastguard vessel and an air force helicopter conducted a search.

Meanwhile, a second rescue effort was launched near the island of Kythira, where a boat struck rocks and sank late last night. Mr Kokkalas said 80 people had been rescued while a search continued for about 15. In dramatic scenes, fire service rescuers and residents on Kythira lowered ropes to help migrants climb up cliffs as winds reached 45mph. Survivors were buffeted by waves as they waited on rocks below. Resident Marth Stathaki said: “All the residents here went down to try to help.”