ANKARA

At least 11 people died in a boat accident off the coast of the Greek island of Antikythera, said public media on Friday.

Nine women and two children were among those who lost their lives, said the AMNA news agency.

Ninety migrants who were rescued by the Greek Coast Guard will be transferred to the port of Piraeus, the agency added.

The agency said the migrants’ boat had sailed from the coast of Turkey and had hoped to reach Italy.

Greece is the main route into the European Union for asylum-seekers arriving via Turkey.

Turkey has been a key transit point for irregular migrants who want to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution in their countries.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​