ATHENS, Greece— At least 28 people seeking a better life in Europe drowned Sunday as they attempted a wind-swept sea crossing from Turkey to Greece, while a record number of asylum seekers reached Hungary’s border with Serbia just two days before the government vows to make its southern frontier more difficult to cross.
Greece’s coast guard said the 28, including four infants and 10 older children, died when their wooden boat containing more than 125 people capsized near Farmakonissi. The island lies midway between Samos and Kos, two of the favored targets for smugglers sending thousands of migrants and refugees daily to Greek islands off Turkey’s coast.
Officials said 68 others were rescued while 30 more swam to the barely populated island. Coast guard officials said the boat may have been toppled in part because of wind gusts exceeding 50 kph (30 mph).
