At least five dead as migrant boat capsizes in Greek waters

Coastguard reports rescue of 39 survivors from boat that set out from Libya, but hopes fade for other passengers

A mammoth rescue operation was launched in Greece on Saturday to locate dozens of migrants reported missing after their boat capsized en route from Libya to Crete.

Nearly 12 hours after combat Aegean Hawk naval helicopters were first dispatched to the site of the shipwreck, 12.5 nautical miles south-west of the tiny isle of Gavdos, at least 39 survivors had been found, according to the Greek coastguard.