Four Croatian maritime police officers who take part in Frontex patrols on the EU-Turkey border in the Aegean Sea had on Monday rescued 36 migrants from an inflatable boat which ran out of fuel, Dubrovnik police, which sent the officers on the EU border patrol mission, said on Friday.

The boat was spotted in the coastal area between the Evros river delta and the Greek town of Makri. After hearing calls for help, the four policemen intervened and rescued 36 migrants, including five children.

The air temperature at the time was reportedly only 2 degrees Celsius, and migrants found were hypothermic, dehydrated, and even unconscious.

The migrants were taken to the police boat, given water, hot beverages, and blankets, and taken to the closest Greek port at Alexandroupoli. Once there, five migrants were hospitalised, while the rest were taken to a reception centre.