Athens - At least two people were reported dead after the yacht they were travelling on capsized in the eastern Aegean, the Athens News Agency (ANA) reported.

Greek coast guard officials rescued three people, two males and a female, but said they were uncertain how many might have been killed after the sailboat capsized east off the Dodecannese island of Kos, near Agia Fokas.

Reports said the vessel may have been carrying illegal immigrants, mainly from Afghanistan.

Rescue helicopters and coast guard were combing the area for signs of any survivors.

Tens of thousands of illegal immigrants attempt to sneak into European Union member Greece from neighboring Turkey, mainly from Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia. (dpa)