This article is from the source 'bbc' 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.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30635871

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
'Migrant ship' in distress off Corfu 'Migrant ship' heads for Italy after distress call scare
(about 3 hours later)
A cargo ship believed to be carrying hundreds of migrants has sent out a distress signal near the Greek island of Corfu, reports say. A cargo ship believed to be carrying hundreds of migrants is heading for Italy after a passenger sparked an alert near the Greek island of Corfu.
A passenger on the Blue Sky M said there were armed people on board the ship, Greek media reported. The distress call to Greek emergency services prompted the navy to send a helicopter and a warship to the scene.
The Greek navy has sent a helicopter and a warship to the scene, south of the small island of Othonoi. But later the coastguard said the captain of the Blue Sky M had been contacted and no-one was in danger.
The incident comes two days after a fire broke out on a ferry not far away, leaving at least 10 people dead. The incident came two days after a fire broke out on a ferry not far away, leaving at least 10 people dead.
Resources have been diverted to the cargo ship from the ongoing search near the wreck of the ferry, Norman Atlantic. Resources were diverted to the cargo ship from the ongoing search near the wreck of the ferry, Norman Atlantic.
Greek coast guard special missions officers were also seen leaving Corfu for the area. Greek coast guard special missions officers were also seen leaving Corfu for the area, just to the south-west of the small island of Othonoi.
Abrupt turnAbrupt turn
The Moldovan-flagged Blue Sky M was reportedly heading for the port of Rijeka in Croatia.The Moldovan-flagged Blue Sky M was reportedly heading for the port of Rijeka in Croatia.
But according to tracking website MarineTraffic, the ship abruptly changed direction south of Othonoi on Tuesday morning, heading west towards Italy.But according to tracking website MarineTraffic, the ship abruptly changed direction south of Othonoi on Tuesday morning, heading west towards Italy.
Its last position was reported south-west of Othonoi at 10:52 GMT. The passenger on board the Blue Sky M had reportedly phoned the Greek 112 emergency line, complaining "we are without water, food and blankets".
Greek television reports suggested that armed men were on board the boat, previously known as the Bushra Pride. Unconfirmed reports also referred to armed men being on board, however the ship's captain later said no assistance was being sought.
Weather conditions in the Ionian sea have been poor for several days, hampering the rescue of those on board the Norman Atlantic.Weather conditions in the Ionian sea have been poor for several days, hampering the rescue of those on board the Norman Atlantic.
The Greek frigate Navarino had been assisting that rescue operation before being redeployed to deal with the latest incident.