Orla Guerin in Rome reports on Italy's immigration problem

!--#include virtual="/hi/english/static/special_report/kosovo/linkbox.inc"--> Another four of the would-be immigrants trying to flee to Italy were missing and feared dead.

Ten refugees managed to swim to a nearby oil platform while others were pulled from the sea by lifeboats launched from the platform.

Italy's coast guard later accompanied the group ashore, taking three people suffering from exposure to the hospital.

A policeman hands over the body of a baby

The smugglers, who were unhurt, sped away from the scene immediately after the collision as the dinghy sank

Authorities said at least 17 ethnic Albanians fleeing Kosovo were in the boat, which left from the Albanian port of Durres overnight.

A police helicopter and the Italian navy took part in the rescue operation following the accident about 35km east of Brindisi, on Italy's southern coast.

Drugs and weapons

Albanian smugglers use rubber dinghies equipped with powerful engines to transport illegal immigrants - mostly Albanians, Kosovars and Kurds - from the Albanian coast to Italy, usually under cover of darkness.

In the last two days alone, some 600 immigrants have landed along the Italian coast.

On some nights, up to 20 dinghies attempt the 60km voyage across the Otrante channel.

In recent days, several weapons and drug busts have also been made on the smugglers' boats.

Italian church aid organisations have been swamped trying to help the immigrants.

Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema met Albania's premier, Pandeli Majko, on Wednesday to discuss the escalating problem.

On 10 November, Rome and Tirana signed an accord calling for increased Italian and Albanian maritime patrols and Italian police forces to be stationed in the region of the Albanian port of Vlore.