More dead as second Greek tourist boat sinks

ATHENS, Greece -- One person died when a Greek tourist boat carrying American tourists ran aground and sank off the Aegean island of Naxos -- just days after a ferry sunk killing at least 77 people.

The Zeus Three was carrying 31 U.S. tourists and seven crew when it sank in calm seas late on Saturday night.

Coastguard and fishing vessels, helped by helicopters and frogmen, were picking survivors out of the sea, a merchant marine ministry spokesman said.

Rescuers have so far saved 30 people from the boat, it said. The fatality was an unnamed elderly male.

A doctor at the Naxos health centre told Greek television that 17 of those rescued had been taken to the centre by fishermen in good condition, but one person was dead.

All those taken to the centre were elderly, he said. "They are shocked and wet," he said. "No one is injured but unfortunately one has expired."

A coastguard spokesperson told CNN that human error was believed to have been the cause of the accident.

The rescue effort was continuing and weather conditions were reasonably good, the ministry said.

The sinking came just four days after a major ferry disaster off the nearby holiday island of Paros.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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