Lost communication with Dozens after migrant boat broke apart near Italian coast

The International Organization for Migration, citing four survivors, said that 37 migrants are still missing after their boat sank between Tunisia and the Italian island of Lampedusa.

The organization added that the survivors, all from Africa arrived in Lampedusa late on Thursday after being rescued by another boat.

The survivors told the organization that they left the Tunisian port of Sfax, heading to Italy, and there were 46 people on board, adding that their boat capsized due to the strong winds.

According to Flavio Di Giacomo, the spokesman for the International Organization for Migration in Italy, citing survivors, a boat rescued five of their colleagues after the sinking, while 37 people, including seven women and a child, are still missing.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees had given a similar account of the same incident earlier, but said 40 people were believed to be missing.

Migration rates from Tunisia across the Mediterranean have increased this year.

Chiara Cardoletti, the spokeswoman for UNHCR in Italy confirmed that at least one newborn was among the missing.

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ANHA