18 children, 224 others rescued after migrant boat sinks near Greece

Three people are dead and 38 are missing after a wooden boat carrying refugees and migrants sank off the Greek island of Lesbos.

The Greek Coast Guard carried out rescue efforts for over five hours after a boat packed with refugees collapsed and sank on Wednesday, officials said.

Hundreds of passengers were thrown into the sea after a second vessel accidentally rammed the floundering boat, said Peter Bouckaert, Emergency Director at Human Rights Watch.

The Greek coast guard was able to rescue 242 of the refugees, including 18 children; three of whom are listed as being in critical condition.

Over 500,000 refugees have come to Europe through Greek islands in 2015, causing a significant humanitarian crisis.

Thousands have been killed trying to make the maritime crossing between Turkey and Greece. Thirty-four people have been killed in Greek waters just this month.