"The four bodies were discovered off the Gulf of Gera on Lesbos while 34 people were discovered on the coast nearby," a police spokesperson said. Identification of the victims and the survivors was ongoing, they added.

The migrants' boat ran aground near the coast then began to sink as strong winds whipped up waves of up to 1.5 metres (five feet), according to the Greek ANA news agency. Most of the survivors were from African countries and were taken to a reception and registration centre on Lesbos, the agency said. Lesbos, like other Greek islands in the Aegean Sea near neighbouring Turkey, is one of the main entry points into Europe for people fleeing war and poverty. The perilous crossings are often fatal. In April, seven people, including three children, died when their inflatable boat capsized off the island. Greece has seen an increase in the number of migrant and refugee arrivals further south on Crete, coming in particular from Libya.

The conservative government hardened its migration policy in July, suspending asylum claims for three months from people coming from north Africa. The move has been criticised by a number of international organisations, including the UN refugee agency and the Council of Europe. (Bssnesw)