Migrants killed in Sicily shipwreck

The boat sank in choppy waters

At least 14 people have died after a boat packed with suspected illegal immigrants from Liberia sank off the coast of southern Sicily.

Italian police and coastguards rescued 92 people after the early-morning shipwreck.

The 10-metre (30-foot) vessel with up to 150 people on board went down within sight of the rocky shore.

Police said the accident may have happened when the passengers all rushed to one side of the wooden vessel, hoping to see the Sicilian coastline.

Among the 14 bodies recovered so far were nine men, four women and a girl of about 15.

Divers were continuing to examine the sunken wreck and officials said more bodies could yet be found.

About 40 passengers swam from the wreck to a large rock and were rescued by boat and helicopter.

Some who stayed with the sinking vessel were also rescued alive, while the remainder are believed to have swum ashore.

Smuggling suspected

Twelve of the survivors were taken to hospital but the others were in good condition.

Everyone on the boat was Liberian, bar one Egyptian whom Italian police suspect of being involved in people-smuggling.

Survivors said up to 150 might have been on board

Hundreds of illegal immigrants from North Africa, Albania, Turkey, Pakistan and India arrive in Italy each week aboard small boats run by people smugglers.

Italy has set up permanent reception centres in Sicily and southern parts of the country to process the new arrivals.

But, under a harsher new immigration law which comes into force this week, most will be expelled.