UPDATE 2- Death toll climbs to 78 in migrant boat tragedy off southwestern Greece

UPDATES DEATH TOLL; CHANGES HEADLINE, LEDE, ADDS ADDITONAL INFORMATION

By Magda Panoutsopoulou and Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - At least 78 migrants drowned off southwestern Greece early on Wednesday after the fishing boat they were on capsized, local media reported.

104 other migrants on the boat were rescued after the incident, which occurred roughly 47 nautical miles (about 54 miles) southwest of the town of Pylos, state broadcaster ERT reported, adding that the boat was carrying over 400 migrants, according to the International Organization for Migration (IMO).

The boat had reportedly embarked from the Tobruk region of northeastern Libya, located across the Mediterranean Sea at a distance of over 300 nautical miles, heading for Italy when it capsized in international waters.

Greek authorities were alerted to the sinking fishing boat by the Italian coast guard, subsequently launching a large search and rescue mission that remains underway.

Six coast guard vessels are currently participating in the operation, along with an air force helicopter, a navy frigate, and several private boats.

The rescued migrants have been transported to Kalamata, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northeast of Pylos, while hospitals in the area are on standby.

At least 24 of the migrants who had earlier been transported to the hospital of Kalamata were reported by local media to be in good health.

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Odysseas Konstantinopoulos are expected to be in Kalamata this afternoon, following the tragedy.

Former Prime Minister and leader of New Democracy party Kyriakos Mitsotakis and main opposition SYRIZA party's leader Alexis Tsipras both suspended their election campaign activities due to the tragic incident.