Dozens drown off Italian Coast

At least twenty people have drowned and more than 150 are still missing after a boat with around 300 immigrants on board capsized in bad weather near the Italian island of Lampedusa Thursday morning.

Forty-eight people were saved but authorities fear the death toll may rise. The accident occurred while the Italian coast guard were conducting a rescue operation.

The 13 metre long vessel had left Libya two days ago with around 300 Eritreans and Somalians on board hoping to reach Italy, but they were caught up by bad weather.

Surprised by the storm the immigrants asked the Maltese authorities for help, who transferred the operation to the Italian coast guard. The Italians intervened with three ships, an airplane and a helicopter. They were assisted by the Maltese coast guard and a fishing boat.

While trying to take immigrants off their boat, which was sinking due to a hole in the bow, the vessel capsized and those on board fell into the water, leading to the drowning while many more are still unaccounted for.

A rescue search has been put in place but the Italian coast guard fears for the worst.

The 48 people who were saved, among them a pregnant woman, were sent to the immigrant centre on Lampedusa.

Credit: Radio Netherlands Worldwide