Greece rescues hundreds of illegal migrants over weekend off islands of Gavdos and Crete

In a separate incident, also on Sunday, the European Union's Frontex border agency rescued 96 migrants on board two boats off Crete, the coastguard said. The migrants are now being taken to Crete, Greece's largest and most populous island.

Sea arrivals from northeastern Libya of illegal immigrants trying to cross to Europe have surged in recent months. They mainly come from the Middle East and North Africa, including nationals from Sudan and citizens of Egypt and Bangladesh.