Athens  - Greek coast guard officials detained 92 illegal immigrants on Tuesday after crossing the Aegean in inflatable rafts from neighboring Turkey, report said.

More than 25 illegal immigrants were picked up alive by rescue crews after they were found swimming near the island of Symi, along the Greek-Turkish sea border.

The immigrants decided to destroy their raft and jump into the water in order to avoid being detected by coast guard officials.

Coast guard vessels also detected a boatload of 29 illegal immigrants near the island of Patmos and two more boats with a total of 33 immigrants neat the island of Lesbos.

Officials also arrested four illegal immigrants on Samos after arriving on the island from nearby Turkey.

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 neighbouring Turkey. (dpa)