Greek coast guards respond to migrant boat S.O.S

ATHENS 

Greek coast guards have begun a rescue operation after they received a distress signal from a boat with 400 illegal immigrants aboard off the mediterranean island of Crete in Greece on Monday.

Coastal security sources said rescue efforts began in the early hours and a frigate and a coast guard vessel have been sent to the area, northwest of Crete.

It is reported that two freighters and a US warship are also in the region.