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Italy finds 30 bodies in migrant boat Italy finds 30 bodies in migrant boat
(about 5 hours later)
The Italian Navy has found about 30 bodies in a fishing boat with hundreds of migrants between Sicily and the North African coast, Italy's media say. The Italian navy has found about 30 bodies in a fishing boat carrying hundreds of migrants between Sicily and the North African coast.
The migrants appeared to have been asphyxiated, Ansa news agency reports. The migrants who died appeared to have been asphyxiated.
The grim discovery was made when rescuers boarded the vessel to evacuate a number of people said to be in distress, two of them pregnant women. The discovery was made when rescuers boarded the vessel to evacuate a number of people said to be in distress, two of them pregnant women.
The fishing boat with about 600 migrants is now being towed to the town of Pozzallo, southern Sicily. The navy says that over the weekend it rescued more than 5,000 migrants trying to cross from North Africa.
The figure was released soon after news emerged of the discovery of the bodies.
The navy said that those who died were crammed into a compartment below decks.
The fishing boat was carrying about 600 migrants and is now being towed to the town of Pozzallo, southern Sicily.
Matthew Price reports on Italy's response to migrant surge
Italy cannot cope on its own. Its asylum system is already under strain. Europe has seen tens of thousands arrive this year, and - as word spreads that the Italian navy is actively rescuing people at sea - more will presumably be tempted to come.
BBC crew films migrant rescue in Mediterranean
Correspondents say that it is not clear whether the boat was sinking when it was intercepted.
The BBC's Alan Johnston in Rome says the latest discovery will again focus attention on the dangers faced by those who are so desperate to reach Europe they choose to make the journey aboard hopelessly overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels.
The Italian authorities say more than 60,000 migrants have already landed in southern Italy this year, and that the record of 63,000 set in 2011 is likely to be broken.The Italian authorities say more than 60,000 migrants have already landed in southern Italy this year, and that the record of 63,000 set in 2011 is likely to be broken.
Italy - who bears the brunt of migrants making the perilous crossing in the Mediterranean - has repeatedly appealed for help from the EU to tackle the problem. Most are from Africa or the Middle East and pay large sums to people smugglers in Libya who transport them in unsafe fishing vessels.
Officials say one reason for the rise in numbers is because of Libya's continuing political instability.
Italy - which bears the brunt of migrants making the perilous crossing - has repeatedly appealed for help from the EU to tackle the problem.
Earlier this month, at least 39 people drowned off Libya after an overloaded, inflatable boat capsized while trying to cross to the Italian island of Lampedusa.Earlier this month, at least 39 people drowned off Libya after an overloaded, inflatable boat capsized while trying to cross to the Italian island of Lampedusa.
Last October, 360 people died when a boat sank off Lampedusa.Last October, 360 people died when a boat sank off Lampedusa.