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![Greece has called on the European Union to provide financial assistance to deal with the flow of illegal migrants [Xinhua]](http://thebricspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/greece-ships.jpg)
Greece has called on the European Union to provide financial assistance to deal with the flow of illegal migrants [Xinhua]
One person was reported dead, Greek authorities said, and an unknown number of people were reported still missing.
The Coast Guard was able to apprehend 180 people from other boat attempts this week.
Italy and Greece are considered entry ways for thousands of migrants from Iraq, Libya, Syria, Egypt, Iran, Eritrea and other countries escaping war and strife in their nations.
The plight of migrants crossing dangers waters came into focus last October when a boat carrying Eritrean refugees was shipwrecked short of Lampedusa, Italy in the Mediterranean with at least 360 people drowning.
In May, 40 migrants drowned in a similar attempt off the Libyan coast.
Officials in Rome said that 20,000 sea-faring migrants had arrived in Italy between January and the end of May.
Both Italy and Greece have pressed the European Union to provide financial assistance to deal with the influx of illegal migrants.
Source: Agencies
