Three dead after migrant boat capsizes off Malta

Italy’s coastguard today recovered the bodies of three illegal migrants who drowned after their boat capsized off Malta’s coast. Eight others are missing.

Another 16 migrants were rescued, four of whom were in serious condition, said Sili Pigni, a spokesman for the coastguard in Catania.

Italian fishermen sent up an alarm about 5.15 am (5.15 am Irish time) after coming upon a capsized boat and people crying for help in the sea about 40 nautical miles east of Malta.

Those rescued indicated initially that another 25 people had been on board, but authorities later determined that 27 people had been on the small boat before it capsized, said coastguard Capt. Nazareno Lagana.

He said it appeared the boat had set off from Tunisia. Thousands of illegal migrants attempt to reach Italy’s coastline every year, mainly from North Africa.

Italy’s coastguard had two boats in the area, which were directed to aid Maltese authorities in the search for other survivors and to transport the survivors to Malta.

It was not immediately clear how long the migrants had been in the water, but Pigni estimated less than an hour, given the cold water temperature and relative good condition of those rescued.

The waters in the region were calm, and authorities believe the boat capsized because it was overloaded.

Malta, a country composed of three major islands, is 58 miles south of Sicily.