78 dead after boat with refugees and migrants sinks off Greece

At least 78 people have died and many more are feared missing after a fishing boat carrying refugees and migrants capsized and sank off the southern coast of Greece – one of the worst such disasters this year.
The Greek coastguard said in a statement on Wednesday the vessel sank in international waters, 47 nautical miles (87km) southwest of Pylos, off the Peloponnese coast. The spot is close to one of the deepest areas of the Mediterranean.
The accident prompted an extensive rescue operation complicated by strong winds, the coastguard said, adding about 100 people had been rescued so far. 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 – a rescue operation set to continue overnight.

Al Jazeera’s John Psaropoulos reports from Kalamata, Greece.

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