New distress signal from ship near Corfu. Weapons on board

The ship sent out a distress signal through the European number 112.

Irregular migrants are aboard according to the operations room of the merchant marine ministry. The ship is the Blue Sky M under Moldovan flag and carrying hundreds of irregular migrants.
It is not known what the problem is on the ship that sent out the SOS.

The signal was received by Italian authorities, who informed Greece and the frigate "Navarino" and a Sikorksi S-70 helicopter of the is rushing to the area, to ascertain exactly what is happening.

According to reports from state broadcaster Nerit the ship is filled with illegal migrants, and there are unconfirmed reports about people with guns on board.

Weather conditions in the Ionian and Adriatic todayare particularly difficult, with winds up to 7 Beaufort. The weather has stopped tugs from rushing to the area.

According to the chairman of the Port Authority of Corfu Spiros Andriotis it is the cargo ship Blue Sky under Moldovan flag.

According to Mr Andriotis the ship is three miles southwest of Othonoi and had direction for a Croatian port.