Athens  - An infant drowned Tuesday during a search and rescue effort by Greek coast guard officials who rushed to save 19 drowning immigrants attempting to cross into Greece from neighboring Turkey on an inflatable boat.

The immigrants, of unknown origin, were travelling on the inflatable raft when it ended up overturning due to high seas and strong winds off the coast of the eastern Aegean island of Symi.

Coast guard officials immediately dispatched two vessels in the area and plucked 18 of the drowning immigrants from the water. An infant, which was only 40 days old, was lost in the effort.

The immigrants were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Tens of thousands of would-be immigrants attempt to cross into Greece every year, mainly from neighboring Turkey, risking their lives in the process. (dpa)