700 migrants aboard crippled ship traveling to Crete

IERAPETRA , Greece, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- A stricken freighter ship carrying about 700 migrants was on its way to the Greek island of Crete Wednesday, towed by a Greek Navy ship.

The 254-foot vessel Baris reported engine failure Tuesday as it carried the refugees, believed to be mainly of Syrian and Afghan citizenship, to Europe. Four merchant ships, military helicopters and the navy frigate were sent to rescue the ship, which is registered in the Pacific nation of Kiribati. The navy ship is presently towing the Baris through rough water and is expected to arrive in the Cretan port city of Ierapetra Wednesday evening or early Thursday.

"This has never happened before in Greece," said Iarapetra Mayor Theodosis Kalantzakis said. "A year or two ago, we had to accommodate 140 migrants, but we have never had a situation involving 700 people."

European Union rules demand refugees seeking asylum must register in the first EU country they enter.

While entry into Greece is not uncommon, particularly of refugees fleeing war in the Middle East, the arrival of so many at one time is unprecedented for Greece. An Ierapetra basketball arena is being prepared to house those aboard the Baris.

The human rights agency Amnesty International reported that of the estimated 150,000 who have attempted to flee the Middle East or North Africa by sea for Europe in 2014, about 2,500, or 1.7 percent, drowned or were missing.