59 dead after boat with refugees and migrants sinks off Greece

At least 59 people have died and more than 100 were rescued after a fishing boat carrying refugees and migrants capsized and sank off the southern coast of Greece.

The Greek coastguard said on Wednesday the vessel sank in international waters southwest of Pylos, off the Peloponnese coast.

The accident prompted an extensive rescue operation complicated by strong winds, the coastguard said in a statement, adding that about 100 people had been rescued.

Four of the survivors were hospitalised in the city of Kalamata with symptoms of hypothermia. None of those rescued had safety equipment such as life jackets, the coastguard said.

Six coastguard vessels, a navy frigate, a military transport and an air force helicopter, as well as several private vessels, were taking part in the search for those missing.

The Italy-bound boat is believed to have sailed from the Tobruk area in eastern Libya.

Greek authorities and the European Union border protection agency Frontex were first alerted about the approaching vessel by the Italian coastguard on Tuesday.