Athens, Sept 26, SPA -- Greek authorities launched a searchand rescue operation Sunday after receiving a distresssignal from a fishing boat believed to be carrying some 80illegal immigrants, the coast guard said. According to the Merchant Marine Ministry, two Super Pumahelicopters and a coast guard patrol boat were dispatchedto the area, some 26 kilometers (16 miles) southwest of theisland of Crete. The ministry did not provide anyadditional details. Tens of thousands of people from Asia, Eastern Europe andthe Mideast attempt to reach Greece each year, manycrossing to Aegean Sea islands from nearby Turkey.--SPA1354 Local Time 1054 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/205716