ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A migrant boat carrying 45 people has sunk to the south of Turkey, and Turkish naval ships and an aircraft are carrying out search and rescue operations, the defence ministry said on Friday.

       Ministry officials said those on board the vessel were migrants.

       The ministry said in a statement that it had received information on Thursday evening that the boat was sinking, 161 miles (259 km) southwest of the Turkish resort town of Kas.

       Two naval frigates were sent to search the area and were work with a naval airplane despite poor weather and sea and weather conditions.

       (Reporting by Yesim Dikmen; Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Kevin Liffey)