TORONTO (Reuters) - The Canadian authorities believe four young men and two women who disappeared from Quebec in January have travelled to the Middle East to fight with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, the media reported on Thursday.

The Globe and Mail newspaper said at least four of the young people studied at Montreal's College de Maisonneuve as recently as last fall.

Global News said it had confirmed that the group of teens went to Turkey, an entry point for many looking to join militants in Syria, and that the Canadian authorities had lost track of them.

Asked about the reports, Canadian Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney said on Thursday he could not comment on operational matters. But he added that reports of such recruitments highlight the need for legislation the government is trying to pass to deter so-called high-risk travellers.