ROME - Italian coast guard officials were trying Wednesday to rescue migrants lost at sea after their boat overturned off the coast of Lampedusa, a small Italian island near North Africa, officials said. Many were feared dead.
The coast guard rescued 48 200 believed to be on the Board rickety, said Pietro Carosia Italian coast guard. But the helicopters have spotted bodies, in the sea said Carosia, refusing to provide a number.
The press said about ANSA agency 20 organizations have been identified.
The rescue operation was hampered by high winds and choppy waters, said ANSA.
The incident occurred during the night, although Carosia said that it was not clear what happened to the boat, which he said had put the sails of the Libyan coast.
The survivors were offered blankets, hot drinks and the food that they came ashore Wednesday morning. Many suffered from hypothermia and some were taken away by ambulance, said Carosia.
Thousands of people - especially Tunisian - arrived in North Africa, on the banks of the Italy, fleeing the turmoil that has engulfed the region.
Italy urged the Tunisia to step up patrols of its coasts and resume migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean. The two countries struck a deal Tuesday, with accepting Tunis repatriation of new arrivals and Rome providing equipment and other forms of assistance to crack down against smuggling rings. Italy also decided to issue documents for residence in the short term to 20 000 illegal immigrants.
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