Rescue under way as hundreds stranded on boat drifting off Crete

Greek authorities have said a major rescue operation is under way off the coast of the southern island of Crete after a boat believed to be carrying hundreds of migrants lost steering and was drifting in rough seas (Flora Thompson/PA)

Greek authorities have said a major rescue operation is under way off the coast of the southern island of Crete after a boat believed to be carrying hundreds of migrants lost steering and was drifting in rough seas.

The coast guard said on Tuesday that passengers on the boat had made a distress call to an emergency number during the night to alert authorities.