At least 59 dead and ‘hundreds missing’ as fishing boat packed with migrants capsizes off Greece sparking rescue mission

AT least 59 are dead and hundreds are feared missing after a fishing boat packed with migrants capsized off the coast of southern Greece.

A frantic rescue mission has been launched after the vessel, said to be carrying around 400 people, sank off the Peloponnese peninsula.

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Hundreds are feared to be missing after the boat carrying migrants capsized[/caption]

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Over 100 people were rescued from the waters off the coast of Greece[/caption]

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Four survivors have been hospitalised with symptoms of hypothermia[/caption]

The Italy-bound boat is believed to have sailed from the Tobruk area in eastern Libya before it ran into trouble.

Authorities announced 104 people had been rescued from the water following the horrifying incident.

Four of the survivors were rushed to hospital via helicopter with symptoms of hypothermia.

It was unclear how many passengers might remain missing at sea after the 59 bodies were recovered, Greece‘s coastguard said.

Six coast guard vessels, a navy frigate, a military transport plane, an air force helicopter, several private vessels are continuing the search.

A drone from the European Union border protection agency, Frontex, has also been brought in.

However, the hunt for survivors of Greece’s deadliest migrant shipwreck this year has been hampered by strong winds.

It has emerged that the Italian coast guard first alerted Greek authorities and Frontex about the approaching vessel on Tuesday.

It was spotted in international waters but passengers “refused any help” from officials – before their boat sank just hours later.

None on board were wearing life jackets, the coastguard said.

State broadcaster ERT said the majority of people on board were young men in their 20s.

Survivors have been taken to the town of Kalamata for treatment, officials said.

Greece is a major route for migrants to get into Europe from the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

But people smugglers are increasingly taking larger boats into international waters to try to avoid local coast guard patrols.

According to the United Nations, around 72,000 refugees and migrants have arrived in Italy, Spain, Greece, Malta and Cyprus so far this year, with the majority landing in Italy.

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Passengers on the boat had refused help from Greek authorities before it sank[/caption]

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Up to 400 people were said to have been crammed on the boat[/caption]