At least 14 people died when a boat packed with migrants sank between Libya and Italy on Monday, in the latest shipwreck tragedy to hit the Mediterranean.
The Italian navy said another 200 people had been rescued, while some media reports claimed as many as 400 people had been on board the ship -- just days after another migrant boat disaster off Libya.
"Fourteen bodies have been recovered so far. Medical workers on the Sirio and the Grecale are providing assistance to the 200 survivors," the Italian navy said, referring to two warships on the scene.
The local Jesuit refugee centre said the toll could be significantly higher, talking of at least 40 dead.
Medical personnel from the Order of Malta humanitarian group who assisted the survivors said there were many women and children from sub-Saharan Africa among them.
"Our personnel attended to many cases of hypothermia and dehydration," said the group's Italian head Mauro Casinghini.
Two Italian coast guard vessels and several merchant ships that scrambled to the area were also taking part in the high-seas rescue operation, the navy said, adding that a helicopter had also been deployed.
'Italy recovering dead, living'
Libya has long been a springboard for Africans seeking a better life in Europe and the number of illegal departures from its shores is rising due to clement weather conditions and growing lawlessness.
Hundreds of migrants land in Italy almost every day, most of them asylum-seekers from Eritrea, Somalia and Syria, and many are picked up by Italy's navy.
The latest shipwreck happened at around 1100 GMT on Monday and some 100 nautical miles (185 kilometres, 115 miles) south of Lampedusa island, Italy's southernmost point.
The area is near an offshore oil rig in international waters and is closer to Libya than to Italian shores.
Italian media cited coast guards as saying that some 400 people had been on board the migrant boat, which would leave scores of people still unaccounted for.
"Our ships are there recovering the dead and saving the living. Europe is not helping us," Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said, adding: "The Mediterranean is not an Italian border but a European border".
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton voiced her regret at the migrants' deaths and called on the Libyan authorities "to intensify their efforts to prevent more tragedies in the future."
Immigration charities estimate that some 20,000 migrants have died in the past two decades trying to reach Italy and have called for "humanitarian corridors" to allow asylum-seekers to reach Europe.
ANSA news agency cited rescuers as saying the boat was first spotted by a patrolling Italian coast guard plane that made an emergency call to a merchant ship in the area, which became the first on the scene.
The migrant boat later sank, the report said.
European leaders expressed outrage and called for action, in a repeat of the response to the drowning of more than 400 migrants off Italy in October 2013.
European Parliament president Martin Schulz said in a tweet that he was "shocked" by the tragedy, adding: "EU must take responsibility to protect people and values".
On a visit to Brussels, Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini spoke of a moral duty "as human beings to avoid people dying in the Mediterranean".
'Europe's turn to pay'
Libya said it was not involved in the rescue, with naval spokesman Colonel Ayub Kassem saying the country "does not have the means to help with this shipwreck".
The Libyan navy also said it had intercepted and rescued 340 migrants off the western town of Sabratha when their boat began to take on water. Those aboard were mostly Sudanese and Eritreans.
And on Sunday, the navy said that 36 migrants had perished, 42 were missing and 52 were rescued following another shipwreck closer to its coast.
Italy said last month that more than 20,000 migrants had arrived on its shores this year.
Libya's interim interior minister on Saturday warned that Tripoli could "facilitate" the movement of migrants towards Europe unless the bloc helped it combat the problem.
He said Libya was "suffering" because thousands of mainly sub-Saharan Africans were spreading disease, crime and drugs in the North African nation.
"Libya has paid the price. Now it's Europe's turn to pay," Mazek added.
AFP
Tue May 13 2014
A photo from the Italian Navy shows immigrants being rescued near the Italian island of Lampedusa. -AFP Photo
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.