At least five people have died, and 40 more are believed to be missing, after a migrant boat sank south of Crete near the tiny island of Gavdos on Friday night, Greek authorities reported.

The coastguard confirmed that 39 survivors had been rescued and a large-scale search operation is underway for those still unaccounted for.

The boat capsized 12 nautical miles southwest of Gavdos shortly after midnight, triggering an extensive rescue operation involving vessels and aircraft.

According to the Greek news outlets, the first body was recovered on Saturday morning. Later in the afternoon, the coastguard confirmed the death toll had risen to five. Among the survivors, one man was airlifted to a hospital in Chania, Crete, where he remains in intensive care.

Local authorities have not yet provided details on the nationalities of those involved or the circumstances leading to the capsizing.

The tragedy underscores the ongoing risks faced by migrants seeking to cross into Europe, as authorities work to locate the missing and provide support to survivors. (ILKHA)