Updated 12.45

Greek authorities say the number of people who died when a migrant boat sank off the coast of Samos has risen to 24.

Seven more bodies have been recovered off the island in the eastern Aegean Sea.

Nine children are among the dead.

Ten people were rescued.

The asylum seekers were trying to cross The Aegean Sea to get into Europe.

The Greek island of Samos, near Kos, in The Aegean Sea. Via Google Earth

A week ago, 40 people died when boats smuggling migrants capsize in two seperate incidents off the Greek island of Kalolimnos and the Turkish resort of Didim.

CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, Brian Killoran, has called on the government to send another boat from our naval service to the region. The last of three Irish crews to serve in the Mediterranean returned home before Christmas.