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Bodies spotted near Italian coast Bodies spotted near Italian coast
(10 minutes later)
The bodies of at least a dozen suspected immigrants have been seen floating off Italy's Lampedusa island, the country's coastguard has said.The bodies of at least a dozen suspected immigrants have been seen floating off Italy's Lampedusa island, the country's coastguard has said.
Patrol boats are being sent to the area, about 50 miles (80km) south-west of the southern Italian 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.A helicopter search crew spotted the bodies, some still wearing life vests.
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, Italian coastguards said since the start of the year they had 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.
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.