An estimated 41 migrants have died as a result of a shipwreck off the coast of Italy, according to survivors.
A group of four people, originally from the Ivory Coast and Guinea, told rescuers that they had on a boat travelling from Sfax in Tunisia which sank near Lampedusa.
In excess of 1,800 people have died so far this year in the crossing from North Africa to Europe.
Tunisian authorities describe Sfax, roughly about 80 miles from Lampedusa, as a popular gateway for migrants trying to access Europe.
Italian patrol boats and charity groups have rescued 2,000 people arriving on the island in recent days.
We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news visit: /news
Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow our social media accounts here on facebook.com/DailyExpress and @daily_express
