Hundreds feared dead after migrant boat capsizes

Hundreds of migrants are feared drowned after a fishing boat said to be carrying as many as 700 people capsized in the Mediterranean yesterday.

Almost 400 migrants were rescued from the boat, said to be only fit to carry 40 or 50 people, while the bodies of 24 adults and one child, were recovered from the sea.

Those that were rescued are being brought to the Italian port of Palermo. They are due to arrive some time this morning.