Ten migrants found dead after boat capsizes off Malta

Approximately 48 people were rescued alive after a vessel reportedly left Libya carrying about 60 passengers.

Italian rescuers have recovered 10 bodies after a migrant boat capsized in waters off Malta, according to a coastguard statement on Sunday.

The vessel, which had departed from Libya with about 60 people on board, overturned approximately 45 nautical miles east-south-east of Malta, the Italian coastguard reported.

"According to the latest information, a fishing boat in the area rescued around 48 people alive, out of about 60 who were reported to have set off," the coastguard added.

"The Italian coastguard immediately dispatched a patrol boat to the area, which has so far recovered 10 bodies. Search operations in the area are continuing, coordinated by the Maltese authorities."

The coastguard stated that Malta requested help in the ongoing search and rescue operation, "following the capsizing of a vessel reported with migrants aboard and people in the water."

At least 827 people have died this year while attempting the deadly central Mediterranean crossing, according to the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The central Mediterranean route is the sea crossing from North Africa to Italy and Malta. The IOM reported that more than 1,330 people died on this route last year.

The European Union has an agreement with the Libyan government to reduce the number of migrants passing through the country. Since 2015, it has given Libya €700m (£605m), much of which has been used to reinforce border management.

Italy’s migration policies in the central Mediterranean have long relied on cooperation with Libya to curb departures, including support, training, and equipment for the Libyan coastguard to intercept migrant boats.