Hundreds of migrants trying to reach across the Mediterranean from Libya are feared to have drowned after their fishing boat capsized off the North African country, according to UN refugee agency officials. Aljazeera reports:
Statements on Twitter by UNHCR officials suggest that 250 people have been rescued so far and another 16 confirmed dead out of an estimated 600 migrants on the boat. Italian coastguard is organising the rescue efforts, the statements say.
Journalist Karl Stagno-Navarra, reporting on Wednesday from the Maltese capital Valletta, told Al Jazeera that Maltese authorities confirmed that an Irish navy vessel and a vessel of Doctors Without Borders, the aid group, were on site assisting the rescue.
He said that the boat sent out a distress signal that was picked up by the authorities. “There have tragically been many deaths, but does not have figures at this stage,” the Doctors Without Borders said on Twitter.
