At least 19 migrants died after their boat capsized on Wednesday in the Mediterranean Sea off the north of Cyprus, Turkish media reported.

The coast guards of Turkey and Cyprus rushed to the scene and saved 103 of the migrants, private broadcaster CNNTurk reported.

The rescued migrants were brought to Turkey's southern province of Mersin, while about 25 are reported still missing.

Turkey's DHA news agency said the refugees were Syrians seeking to go to Europe but this has yet to be confirmed.