Hundreds feared drowned off Libya

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Tens of thousands of migrants attempt to reach Europe by sea every year

More than 200 African migrants are feared dead after their boat sank off the coast of Libya, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) says.

The boat carrying around 250 people is reported to have capsized 50km (30 miles) north of the Libyan coast in stormy seas and high winds.

Libyan officials say 21 people are confirmed dead and 23 rescued.

A second boat with around 350 migrants was rescued, an official from the IOM told the Associated Press news agency.

'Quick rescue'

The IOM's Laurence Hart said the rescued boat and all of its passengers were now safely back in the Libyan capital, Tripoli.

Libyan search and rescue operations led to the recovery of the bodies of those who drowned as a result of the accident, among them the bodies of 10 Egyptians Egyptian official Ahmed Rizk Migrants risk all from Libyan port Italy's migrants slowly integrating "I knew I might not survive" Key facts: Africa migration

"Rescue was quick because they were near an oil platform that notified the Libyan coastal guards who quickly rescued the migrants," he said.

The missing boat is believed to be in the same area.

Coastguards are believed to be looking for two other boats, which reportedly left for Italy in recent days.

"This is the typical route for migrants from Libya to Italy," Mr Hart said.

See map of main migrant routes to Europe

Italy is to start joint sea patrols in May with Libya, aimed at stopping the heavy influx of illegal migrants.

6,800 Tunisians, 6,000 Nigerians and 4,000 Somalis arrived in Lampedusa in 2008. In 2007, by contrast, only 1,000 Tunisians were recorded arriving on the island, with even fewer Nigerians and Somalis. The change could be attributed to increased Spanish efforts to crack down on illegal immigrants entering the Canary Islands. Migrants from some African countries may have changed their approach as a result, choosing to focus on Lampedusa. Source: IOM

According to IOM figures, more than 31,000 people crossed from North Africa to the Italian island of Lampedusa in 2008 alone.

The UN's refugee agency reports that two boats, carrying more than 450 people, have arrived in Italy in the past week.

Mother and son

Libyan media report that among the dead was an African woman found lifelessly clutching an infant to her bosom, says the BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli.

The missing vessel reportedly ran into difficulty shortly after setting off on Sunday from Sidi Bilal, near Tripoli.

"Libyan search and rescue operations led to the recovery of the bodies of those who drowned as a result of the accident, among them the bodies of 10 Egyptians," said Egyptian official Ahmed Rizk.

The nationalities of the migrants are reported to have included Egyptians, Tunisians and Palestinians.

High risk

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres expressed his "great sorrow" at the loss of life.

He said it was the latest tragic example of "a global phenomenon in which desperate people take desperate measures to escape conflict, persecution and poverty in search of a better life".

Hundreds of migrants have died in the last few months crossing the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa to Europe, and the Gulf of Aden from Somalia to Yemen.

They are at the mercy of unscrupulous smugglers, unseaworthy vessels and the elements but many take these risks for the lure of a better life.

The smuggling season normally stops in October, and resumes again in April.

But the IOM says there has been no lull this year and the smuggling boats have been sailing right through the winter.

The boat capsized on one of the main migration routes from Libya to Italy

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