Three reported dead as new footage emerges of migrants being rescued off Greek island of Rhodes

Children were among those found clinging to the wreckage of the ship they were travelling on

Dozens were rescued by Greek coast guards as the ship ran aground off Rhodes

At least three people have drowned after a boat carrying dozens of migrants ran aground off the coast of the Greek Island of Rhodes on Monday morning.

Greek coast guards confirmed that they had retrieved three dead bodies, as footage emerged showing migrants clinging to the floating wreckage of the damaged boat.

In one clip from video footage published on local Greek news website Rodiaki, a young child is seen being pulled onto the rocks by coast guards.

Young child rescued by Greek coast guards (Rodiaki)

A Greek coast guard official confirmed the deaths, saying: "We have recovered three bodies so far – that of a man, a woman and a child. The search-and-rescue operation continues."

So far 80 people are said to have been rescued from the wreckage, with 23 of those currently receiving treatment at hospital.

The nationalities of those that were rescued is not yet known.

The footage on Monday comes in the wake of this weekend's tragedy in the Mediterranean, which saw a smuggler’s boat crammed with hundreds of migrants capsize on Saturday night.

According to survivors, there could have been up to 950 people aboard the boat, with many believed to have been locked in the vessel’s hold as it sunk.

So far only 28 survivors have been found, with the Italian Coast Guard stepping up its rescue efforts.