Athens - The Greek coast guard officials Monday detained 31 illegal immigrants who had crossed the Aegean Sea in inflatable rafts from neighbouring Turkey.

The immigrants, among them two women, were picked up alive by the Greek coast guard after they were found swimming near the small island of Innousses, along the Greek-Turkish border.

The immigrants told officials they decided to destroy their raft and jump into the water once they were detected by coast guard officials.

They were taken to a hospital on Chios.

Tens of thousands of illegal immigrants attempt to sneak into European Union member Greece every year, often putting their lives in danger by travelling in small and rickety vessels in rough seas from Turkey. (dpa)