Seven migrants drowned early Tuesday morning when their boat capsized near the eastern Greek island of Lesbos. The boat, carrying 17 migrants believed to be from Syria, capsized 2.4 km off the northeast coast of the island.

A Greek coast guard vessel that was on patrol in the area located two of the migrants in the water. Three coast guard ships, one helicopter and one fishing boat were then sent on a rescue mission.

Seven migrants, including a young boy and girl, drowned. Two bodies were found off the coast of Lesbos, while five other bodies were recovered from the overturned boat. Authorities continue to search for two other migrants believed missing from the boat.

Undocumented migrants from Africa and the Middle East have been flooding to Greece, Malta and Italy, which are major gateways into Europe. Many sail to the Greek islands from Turkey in unseaworthy boats.