This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ship-carrying-600-migrants-issues-distress-call-off-corfu-coast-because-of-armed-men-on-board-9950055.html

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Ship carrying 600 passengers issues distress call off Corfu coast because of 'armed men' on board Distress call from ship with 600 passengers because of 'armed men' on board near Corfu
(35 minutes later)
A cargo ship believed to be carrying hundreds of people has issued a distress call in bad weather north-west of the Ionian island of Corfu, Greek authorities said. A distress call has been issued from a cargo ship believed to be carrying hundreds of people off the coast of Corfu, amid fears armed men are on board.
The signal was made because of suspected armed people on board, Greek state television reported, claiming that "illegal immigrants" were on board. A passenger is believed to have called an emergency number for help from their mobile. Official distress calls are usually made from a ship radio.
Officials said a Greek frigate and a navy helicopter were heading to the area. The ship, the Moldovan-flagged Blue Sky M, is believed to be carrying about 600 migrants. The alarm was raised because of suspected armed people on board, Greek state television reported, claiming that "illegal immigrants" were on the ship.
It was sailing in poor conditions near the island of Othonoi, north-west of Corfu. Authorities said the distress call came from one of the passengers on the ship. Officials said a Greek frigate and a navy helicopter were heading to help the Moldovan-flagged Blue Sky M, which is believed to be carrying about 600 migrants.
"We have information that it is carrying suspected migrants. It is sailing off Corfu," a shipping ministry official said. It was sailing in poor conditions near the island of Othonoi, north-west of Corfu when the call was made.
The Marine Traffic tracking website lists the ship's last known port as Korfez, in Turkey, and its destination as Croatia but its record of the ship's movements shows a sharp turn to the west, towards Italy. Marine Traffic's track of Blue Sky M's route shows a sharp turn "We have information that it is carrying suspected migrants. It is sailing off Corfu," a shipping ministry official said.
The call comes two days after a Greek passenger ferry caught fire in the same area, leading to a massive rescue operation by Italian and Greek coastguard and military officials. The Marine Traffic tracking website lists the ship's last known port as Korfez, Turkey, and its destination as Croatia, but its record of the ship's movements shows a sharp turn to the west, towards Italy.
At least 10 people died in that incident, while more than 400 were rescued. Authorities are still searching for potential missing passengers from the Norman Atlantic ferry. The incident comes two days after a Greek passenger ferry caught fire in the same area, leading to a massive rescue operation by Italian and Greek coastguard and military officials.
At least 10 people died in that incident and more than 400 were rescued. Authorities are still searching for potential missing passengers from the Norman Atlantic ferry.
Additional reporting by Press Association and ReutersAdditional reporting by Press Association and Reuters