Greek authorities have stated a serious rescue operation is underneath approach off the coast of the southern island of Crete after a ship believed to be carrying tons of of migrants misplaced steering and was drifting in tough seas.

The coast guard stated on Tuesday that passengers on the boat had made a misery name to an emergency quantity through the night time to alert authorities.

According to the passengers, there have been round 400-500 individuals on board the vessel, the coast guard stated, however added that the determine couldn’t instantly be confirmed.

A Greek navy frigate, two Italian fishing vessels, a tanker and two cargo ships had been collaborating within the rescue operation, however the sturdy winds and tough seas meant it had not been potential to switch any of the passengers from the stricken vessel by the morning, the coast guard stated.

It was not instantly identified the place the boat carrying the migrants had set sail from, what its supposed vacation spot was or what the nationalities of these on board had been.

Tens of hundreds of individuals fleeing battle and poverty within the Middle East, Asia and Africa attempt to make their approach into the European Union every year through perilous sea journeys, with most trying to achieve Greece from neighbouring Turkey or taking an extended path to Italy.