ATHENS, Greece  —A tragic incident occurred off the coast of southern Greece, resulting in the loss of at least 59 lives and leaving dozens of people feared missing. The incident involved a fishing boat carrying migrants that capsized and sank.

Prompted by a notification from the Italian coast guard, Greek authorities and the European Union border protection agency, Frontex, were alerted about the approaching vessel.

A search and rescue operation was immediately launched, involving various resources such as coast guard vessels, a navy frigate, a military transport plane, an air force helicopter, private vessels, and a drone from Frontex.

As of now, 104 individuals have been rescued, while four survivors were hospitalized due to symptoms of hypothermia. The exact number of missing passengers remains uncertain after the recovery of the 59 bodies by the Greek coast guard.

The boat is believed to have originated from the Tobruk area in eastern Libya and was bound for Italy. The search operation is ongoing as authorities continue their efforts to locate any remaining survivors or missing individuals.

Survivors have been provided with shelter, dry clothes, and medical attention in Kalamata. Libyan authorities have recently intensified their crackdown on migrants, leading to the detention of thousands and deportation of Egyptians.

Smugglers are using larger boats to evade coast guard patrols, and distress calls from yachts have resulted in further rescues. The incidents highlight the ongoing dangers faced by migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea.