Six Afghan migrants missing on Greece-Turkey river border

(ATHENS) - Six Afghan migrants trying to cross illegally into Greece from Turkey were missing Thursday after two boats sank on a fast-flowing and frigid river, a Greek police official said.

The boats sank on the River Evros, whose waters were swollen with winter rains. The river stretches 150 kilometres (93 miles) along the border between Greece and Turkey.

Rescue authorities and police saved two Afghans and four Bangladeshis who were also on the boats. The search for the remaining six continued.

The Evros is one of the principal passages for illegal immigrants into the European Union, with about 300 crossing daily, according to the EU's border agency Frontex.

Winter brings treacherous conditions and police estimate about 80 people have died in the waters over the past two years.

Border guards on Sunday saved 11 Algerians who were stranded on a small piece of land and encircled by rising water. The would-be immigrants were aged 20-25 and had been spotted by Turkish guards who alerted Greek colleagues.

Afghanistan said last week it plans to open an embassy in Greece in March to help migrants.