A Turkish fishing vessel rescued migrants from a boat in distress in international waters off Malta on Sunday (7 June), after the overcrowded craft capsized in the central Mediterranean.
Italian coast guard teams recovered 10 bodies while search continued for others after the craft which departed from Libya capsized.
The vessel, operated by Istanbul-based Group Sagun and engaged in bluefin tuna fishing activities, spotted the boat in difficulty and brought survivors aboard the Tuncay Sagun 2.
Crew members on the Turkish fishing vessel pulled migrants from the water and provided initial assistance, including food and water, after responding to the emergency off Malta.
Crew members initially reported fatalities among those on the migrant boat, but no further details were immediately available.
Italy's coast guard later said a patrol boat had recovered the bodies of 10 people after the fishing vessel rescued 48 migrants from the capsized craft near Malta.
The coast guard said it was still searching an area approximately 52 miles, or 84 kilometres, southeast of Malta where the migrant vessel was reported to have capsized. The craft had around 60 people aboard, officials said.
Maltese authorities asked Italy's navy coast guard to dispatch a patrol boat to the area, according to the coast guard statement cited by AP.
The rescue operation therefore involved the Turkish fishing crew, Maltese authorities and Italy's coast guard as the search continued.
Officials said the migrant boat had departed from Libya with around 60 people on board, one of the main departure points for people trying to cross the Mediterranean from North Africa in small boats in the hope of reaching Europe.
The route has remained one of the most dangerous migration corridors in the region with thousands of people losing their lives each year while trying to make the perilous journey across the Mediterranean, mostly due to overcrowded crafts, long distances and rapidly changing conditions.
The European Union has an agreement with the Libyan government aimed at reducing the number of migrants flowing through the country. It has given Libya 700 million euros, or $824 million, since 2015, much of it to reinforce border management.
Italy's migration policy in the central Mediterranean has long relied on cooperation with Libya to curb departures, including support, training and equipment for the Libyan coast guard to intercept migrant boats.
The Tuncay Sagun 2 later left the area to transfer the rescued migrants to Maltese authorities, according to Reuters.
Israel said it struck military targets in western and central Iran on Monday, even after U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly told Israeli Prime Min...
The Prime Minister's party is in the lead as Armenian media are reporting that the country's Central Election Commission has completed the vote count...
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang on Monday (8 June) for a rare summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, receiving a grand welcome...
A Turkish fishing vessel rescued migrants from a boat in distress in international waters off Malta on Sunday (7 June), after the overcrowded craft ca...
The leaders of Britain, France and Germany have backed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's proposal to hold direct talks with Russian President ...
The Prime Minister's party is in the lead as Armenian media are reporting that the country's Central Election Commission has completed the vote count in the parliamentary elections. An official announcement is still expected.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang on Monday (8 June) for a rare summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, receiving a grand welcome as he described relations between the two countries as being at a "new historical starting point".
The leaders of Britain, France and Germany have backed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's proposal to hold direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as efforts to secure a ceasefire continue.
A powerful earthquake struck off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday (8 June), killing at least 15 people and triggering tsunami warnings across the region.
Counting is underway in Armenia's elections. The results of the vote are set to determine the political direction of the country of three million people for the next few years. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is hoping to fend off challenges from several pro-Russia candidates to secure a third term.
Armenian authorities arrested six candidates from the pro-Russian Strong Armenia bloc on Saturday, one day before voters were due to take part in parliamentary elections.
The Prime Minister's party is in the lead as Armenian media are reporting that the country's Central Election Commission has completed the vote count in the parliamentary elections. An official announcement is still expected.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships Natra and Zircon in the Sea of Azov. In a statement, it said four Azerbaijani citizens were killed and four others were injured.
The results of Armenia’s parliamentary elections will determine the makeup of the National Assembly and shape the country's political direction for the foreseeable future. But in Armenia, the final result is not decided by vote percentages alone. Here's how it works.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang on Monday (8 June) for a rare summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, receiving a grand welcome as he described relations between the two countries as being at a "new historical starting point".
The leaders of Britain, France and Germany have backed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's proposal to hold direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as efforts to secure a ceasefire continue.
A powerful earthquake struck off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday (8 June), killing at least 15 people and triggering tsunami warnings across the region.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 8 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The Iranian national football team is set to arrive in North America for the World Cup after finally securing travel documents, but a dispute over U.S. visa approvals continues to cast a shadow over the country's tournament preparations.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment