(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency) IDOMENI Greece Jumada I 26 1437 March 06 2016 SPA -- At least 25 people drowned off the Turkish coast while trying to reach Greece on Sunday while Macedonian authorities imposed further restrictions on refugees trying to cross the Greek border according to AP.

The Turkish coast guard launched a search-and-rescue mission for other migrants believed to be missing from the accident the state-run Anadolu Agency reported. The coast guard rescued 15 other migrants off the Aegean Sea resort of Didim it added.

The dead included three children according to private Dogan news agency.

Meanwhile Greek police officials said Macedonian authorities are only allowing those from cities they consider to be affected by war to cross the Idomeni border crossing from Greece. That means people from cities such as Aleppo in Syria for example can enter but those from the Syrian capital of Damascus or the Iraqi capital of Baghdad are being stopped.

A U.N. refugee agency official in Macedonia confirmed the new restrictions and criticized the decision.
--SPA
22:35 LOCAL TIME 19:35 GMT