ATHENS, Greece, June 15 (UPI) -- Greek authorities said Coast Guard boats and the French Zeppelin ship intercepted four vessels with 126 illegal immigrants in the Aegean Sea close to Turkey.
Boats of the Greek cost guard and European Union countries' ships are operating within the joint Frontex initiative to contain surges of illegal immigrants attempting to enter Western Europe from the sea, the Athens News Agency reported Monday.
During the weekend, the French Zeppelin ship and Greek boats stopped a boat with 32 immigrants, including four women, off the northern coast of Lesbos island, northwest of the Turkish port of Izmir.
In the sea northwest of Lesbos, the Greek boats intercepted two synthetic dinghies with oars that were carrying 60 people -- 45 men, seven women and eight children. A motor-boat with 34 people -- 24 men, four women and six children -- was stopped in the nearby area.
The illegal immigrants underwent medical checks and then were transported to the Greek Pagani immigration reception center, ANA said.
The report did not specify the nationalities of the immigrants.
