This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7973322.stm
The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Migrant boat wrecked off Libya | Migrant boat wrecked off Libya |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Hundreds of people are feared dead after at least one boat packed with suspected illegal migrants heading for Europe sank off the coast of Libya. | Hundreds of people are feared dead after at least one boat packed with suspected illegal migrants heading for Europe sank off the coast of Libya. |
| Libyan officials said at least 21 people had died and about 20 were rescued after a vessel reportedly carrying 250 people went down. | Libyan officials said at least 21 people had died and about 20 were rescued after a vessel reportedly carrying 250 people went down. |
| There are unconfirmed reports that a second boat, carrying more than 300 people, also sank in the same area. | There are unconfirmed reports that a second boat, carrying more than 300 people, also sank in the same area. |
| Tens of thousands of migrants attempt to reach Europe by sea every year. | Tens of thousands of migrants attempt to reach Europe by sea every year. |
| The vessel reportedly carrying more than 250 people ran into difficulties shortly after setting off from Sidi Bilal, near Libya's capital, Tripoli. | The vessel reportedly carrying more than 250 people ran into difficulties shortly after setting off from Sidi Bilal, near Libya's capital, Tripoli. |
| In Cairo, Egyptian foreign ministry official Ahmed Rizk said the boat had sunk some 30km (19 miles) off the Libyan coast after getting holed in the hull. | In Cairo, Egyptian foreign ministry official Ahmed Rizk said the boat had sunk some 30km (19 miles) off the Libyan coast after getting holed in the hull. |
| "Libyan search and rescue operations led to the recovery of the bodies of those who drowned as a result of the accident, among them the bodies of 10 Egyptians," said Mr Rizk. | "Libyan search and rescue operations led to the recovery of the bodies of those who drowned as a result of the accident, among them the bodies of 10 Egyptians," said Mr Rizk. |
| The BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli says among the dead was an African woman found lifelessly clutching an infant to her bosom, according to Libyan media reports. | The BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli says among the dead was an African woman found lifelessly clutching an infant to her bosom, according to Libyan media reports. |
| The nationalities of other migrants on the boat were not immediately known, but reports said they included Tunisians and Palestinians. | The nationalities of other migrants on the boat were not immediately known, but reports said they included Tunisians and Palestinians. |
| 'Second boat sank' | 'Second boat sank' |
| Unconfirmed reports from Reuters news agency said another boat with 342 migrants aboard had also sunk after leaving Libya. | Unconfirmed reports from Reuters news agency said another boat with 342 migrants aboard had also sunk after leaving Libya. |
| A Libyan official, who did not wish to be named, told Reuters on Monday that both shipwrecks had taken place "in the past two days" and that search and rescue operations were continuing. | A Libyan official, who did not wish to be named, told Reuters on Monday that both shipwrecks had taken place "in the past two days" and that search and rescue operations were continuing. |
| The agency's Libyan sources said that two more boats were "drifting off Libya's coast but we do not know the exact conditions and the number of the migrants on board". | The agency's Libyan sources said that two more boats were "drifting off Libya's coast but we do not know the exact conditions and the number of the migrants on board". |
| Laurence Hart, of the International Organization for Migration, said he feared as many as 500 migrants from three boats could be missing. | |
| "There is still a slim chance that some of these people are going to be rescued but the casualties are going to be high of course," he said. | "There is still a slim chance that some of these people are going to be rescued but the casualties are going to be high of course," he said. |
| Libya has become a popular transit point for illegal migrants hoping to start a new life in Europe. | Libya has become a popular transit point for illegal migrants hoping to start a new life in Europe. |
| Many of the would-be migrants come from Egypt, where there is a high rate of youth unemployment. They usually head for Italy. | Many of the would-be migrants come from Egypt, where there is a high rate of youth unemployment. They usually head for Italy. |
| Often the vessels they use are not seaworthy, which can mean they end up in difficulties. At least 40 people drowned when a boat sank while making the crossing last June. | Often the vessels they use are not seaworthy, which can mean they end up in difficulties. At least 40 people drowned when a boat sank while making the crossing last June. |
| Italy has announced that it will soon start joint sea patrols with Libya aimed at stopping the heavy influx of illegal migrants. | Italy has announced that it will soon start joint sea patrols with Libya aimed at stopping the heavy influx of illegal migrants. |
| According to official figures, more than 30,000 reached Italy's shores last year. | According to official figures, more than 30,000 reached Italy's shores last year. |