大象传媒

At least 79 people have died and more than 100 rescued after their fishing vessel capsized off the coast of southern Greece - in what is being described as one of the country's biggest migrant tragedies. The shipwreck is the deadliest off Greece this year.

The country's officials and the International Organization for Migration say that hundreds more migrants may have been on board. Newsday heard from Stella Nanou of the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, who is based in Athens.

"The death toll might likely rise... up to 750 people might have been onboard. According to very preliminary information... we understand the majority of people came from Syria, Egypt, also Palestinians, Afghans and some Pakistanis. There might have been some families on board."

(Pic: A undated handout photo provided by the Hellenic Coast Guard shows migrants onboard a boat during a rescue operation, before their boat capsized; Credit: Reuters)