ISTANBUL - At least 18 illegal migrants were found dead in the international waters of the Aegean Sea between Greece and Turkey after a speed boat carrying them capsized, according to a report here on Wednesday.

Antolian news agency reported that 18 bodies in the sea were found by coast guard teams. ?

The illegal immigrants lost their lives on Wednesday when a boat carrying them sank in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Ezine, a district in the northwestern province of Canakkale.

Initial reports said the immigrants were traveling to the island of Lesbos in Greece. Twelve others who were also on the boat during the accident were rescued alive.

The rescue operations are underway and accompanied by helicopters belonging to the coast guards.

This is the second incident in a week happening in the Aegean Sea.

Last Friday Greek Coast Guard found five bodies off the southeastern Aegean Sea island of Kos after the sinking of a boat carrying illegal immigrants to Greece from neighbouring Turkey.