Ten migrants have died after a boat carrying around 60 people capsized in the central Mediterranean following its departure from Libya, according to the Italian Coast Guard.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Italian Coast Guard said rescue teams recovered 10 bodies after the vessel overturned approximately 45 nautical miles south-east of Malta.
The boat had departed from the Libyan coast with about 60 migrants on board before encountering difficulties at sea and eventually capsizing, the statement said.
According to the latest information provided by Italian authorities, a fishing vessel operating in the area rescued around 48 survivors from the water. The rescued migrants were among the estimated 60 people believed to have been aboard the boat when it left Libya.
The Italian Coast Guard said it immediately dispatched a patrol vessel to the scene after receiving reports of the incident. Recovery and search operations were launched in coordination with Maltese authorities as rescuers continued efforts to locate any remaining missing passengers.
The latest tragedy highlights the ongoing dangers faced by migrants attempting the perilous Mediterranean crossing from Libya toward Europe. Despite repeated warnings from international organisations and European authorities, migrant smuggling networks continue to organise departures from the North African country, often using overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels.
The central Mediterranean remains one of the world’s deadliest migration routes. Thousands of migrants and asylum seekers attempt the journey each year, hoping to reach European shores. Many depart from Libya, which remains a major transit point for migrants from Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Italian and Maltese rescue authorities regularly coordinate search-and-rescue missions in the region as migration flows continue across the Mediterranean.
The fate of several passengers remains unclear as search operations continue. Authorities have not yet released details regarding the nationalities of the victims or survivors.
