Armed people reported on board migrants' boat off Greece

As many as 700 asylum seekers are thought to be on a cargo ship off the Greek island of Corfu which sent out a distress signal saying armed people were on board on Tuesday.

Two Greek officials confirmed that a distress signal had been received from the Moldovan-flagged Blue Sky M but did not give further details on the message.

A Greek frigate, a coastguard vessel and a military helicopter were heading to the area, they added.

"We have information that it is carrying suspected migrants. It is sailing off Corfu," a shipping ministry official said.