At least 58 migrants, including a baby, have died in a shipwreck at Calabria Coast, off southern Italy. However, dozens survived after the sinking of the overloaded boat in rough seas. The vessel reportedly broke apart while trying to land with about 150 people aboard near the coastal town of Crotone in the Calabria region.
Many bodies have been recovered from the beach at a nearby seaside resort. Large numbers of people fleeing conflict and poverty make the crossing from Africa to Italy each year.
Local officials put the confirmed death toll in the central Mediterranean tragedy at either 58 or 59.
Earlier the Calabria coastguard said 80 people had been recovered alive,
“including some who managed to reach the shore after the sinking“.
Manuela Curra, a local government official, told Reuters News that the boat left the Turkish coastal city of Izmir three or four days ago.
Those onboard were mainly from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Iran, according to Italian officials. The President, Sergio Mattarella said many were fleeing “very difficult conditions“.
