Boat Carrying Refugees From Libya Capsizes In Mediterranean Sea

A boat carrying about 200 Eritrean and Somali refugees from Libya capsized early Wednesday in the Mediterranean Sea about 40 miles south of the island of Lampedusa. Only 48 people have been rescued from the water. Officials say about 15 people died and around 130 others remain missing and are feared dead.

High winds, rough water and poor visibility hampered rescue operations, which were being lead by Maltese authorities and the Italian Coast Guard. "We fear that many people may have died," Lampedusa rescue official said.

Lampedua has seen a large influx of migrants this year due to widespread unrest in northern Africa.

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