Turkish officials say at least 58 people have drowned after a boat carrying illegal immigrants struck rocks and sank in waters off western Turkey.

The boat is believed to have been bound for European waters, but after hitting the rocks it sank around dawn Thursday only 50 meters from the Turkish shore.

Forty-six people have been reported rescued. Initial reports say some of the survivors are from Iraq and Syria.

Two people have been arrested, and the search for victims continues.

Turkey is a popular crossing point for people wishing to migrate into the European Union. It has also been a destination for some 80,000 Syrian refugees crossing the border to flee violence in their own country.