Four dead, including two children, in latest migrant shipwreck off Greek island of Samos

Associated Press

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek officials say that four migrants, including two children, died when a boat struck rocks near the Greek island of Samos. They said on  Thursday that 16 other people were rescued, but it remained unclear how many were aboard the boat. It was the second deadly shipwreck off Samos this week, following the deaths of eight migrants on Monday. Greek authorities say migrant-smuggling networks operating between Turkey and nearby Greek islands have stepped up activity in recent months — an increase that Athens says is linked to wars in the Middle East and Africa.