Officials deny mooring rope was cause of Greece boat tragedy that left 78 dead

Greek authorities have denied one of their coastguard vessels caused a migrant boat to sink with the loss of at least 78 lives.

But as the row raged and hopes of finding more people alive faded, there was a scene of joy as one survivor was reunited with his relieved brother, who he embraced through a metal barricade.

Reports had claimed the migrant boat capsized on Wednesday after a rope was attached to it from a coastguard vessel, 50 miles off the southern coast of Greece.