Ten dead after migrant boat capsizes near Malta, Italian coastguard says

The Italian coast guard reported that at least 10 people have died after a boat carrying migrants capsized in waters near Malta. The vessel, which had departed from the Libyan coast, was reportedly carrying around 60 individuals when the incident occurred.

Malta requested assistance in the search and rescue operation following the capsizing. An Italian patrol boat recovered ten bodies from the water, and the search efforts were ongoing Sunday afternoon. Authorities stated that a fishing vessel in the vicinity managed to rescue approximately 48 people alive.

This tragedy highlights the perilous nature of the Central Mediterranean crossing, a route from North Africa to Italy and Malta. According to the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM), at least 827 people have died attempting this crossing so far this year. Last year, the IOM recorded over 1,330 fatalities on the same route.