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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Bodies spotted near Italian coast | Bodies spotted near Italian coast |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| The bodies of 14 suspected illegal immigrants have been discovered floating off Italy's Lampedusa island, the country's coastguard has said. | |
| Six of the bodies were recovered late on Tuesday and the coastguard has said it will resume searches on Wednesday. | |
| Patrol boats were sent to the area, about 50 miles (80km) south-west of the southern island. | Patrol boats were sent to the area, about 50 miles (80km) south-west of the southern island. |
| A helicopter search crew spotted the bodies, some still wearing life vests, floating in Maltese territorial waters. | |
| Lampedusa, located between Sicily and north Africa, is used as a landing point by thousands of illegal migrants trying to enter the EU from Africa. | Lampedusa, located between Sicily and north Africa, is used as a landing point by thousands of illegal migrants trying to enter the EU from Africa. |
| Earlier on Tuesday, 45 male migrants made it to Lampedusa's coast, where their boat was towed into port. | |
| Since the start of the year Italian coastguards say they have found about 7,000 immigrants attempting illegal entry into Italy from the sea. | |
| Just over 1,600 people were also found after they managed to land in Italy. | Just over 1,600 people were also found after they managed to land in Italy. |
| However the figures represent a significant reduction from the same period last year when around 16,000 people were found in Italian waters between January and September. | However the figures represent a significant reduction from the same period last year when around 16,000 people were found in Italian waters between January and September. |
| According to the United Nations, 77 people died and 133 went missing in June alone after trying to cross the Strait of Sicily. | According to the United Nations, 77 people died and 133 went missing in June alone after trying to cross the Strait of Sicily. |