RESCUERS FIND BOAT CARRYING SEVEN BODIES AND RESCUE 57 PEOPLE

ROME, AUGUST 17 /SRNA–RIA Novosti/ – Italian humanitarian organisation Emergency said its rescuers found seven deceased migrants and rescued another 57 people from a vessel in distress off the coast of Libya.

"The search and rescue service is carrying out a rescue operation involving a boat in distress carrying 57 people. Seven people died during the crossing, while two survivors are in critical condition due to asphyxiation. An urgent medical evacuation has been requested," the organization posted on X.

Rescuers said they spotted a wooden, two-deck boat at around 6:00 a.m. and completed the rescue operation at around 8:00 a.m.

"The passengers were from Somalia and Egypt and said they had departed from the Libyan port of Zuwara earlier that morning," the organisation added.