Greece: rescue operation of hundreds of people on a drifting boat

ATHENS, Greece — Greek authorities say a major rescue operation is underway off the southern island of Crete after a boat believed to be carrying hundreds of migrants lost direction and drifted in rough seas.

The Coast Guard said on Tuesday that passengers on the boat made a distress call to an emergency number overnight to alert authorities. According to passengers, there were about 400 to 500 people on board the vessel, the coast guard said, but added that the figure could not be immediately confirmed.