At least 62 migrants killed as boat sinks near Lampedusa

At least 62 people have died after a boat carrying migrants sank off southern Italy, reports say.

Rescue operations are continuing and officials warn the toll may rise.

Passengers reportedly threw themselves into the sea as the vessel got into trouble and Italian officials were quoted as saying that dozens of people were still in the water.

Earlier this week, 13 migrants drowned while trying to reach the coast of Sicily.

There are reports that a fire broke out on board, before the boat sank. There are believed to have been around 500 people on board.

More than 140 have so far been rescued.

Local media reports say that at least one child and a pregnant woman are among the dead.

Those rescued came from sub-Saharan Africa, the mayor of Lampedusa said.

The boat sank just four days after 13 migrants drowned when their boat foundered off eastern Sicily.

Lampedusa is closer to Africa than the Italian mainland and is the frequent destination for smugglers' boats.

Thursday 3 October 2013

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24380247