The Italian navy said Wednesday that at least seven migrants drowned off the Libyan coast when the overcrowded boat they were traveling on capsized and sank, AFP reported.
During a rescue operation, 500 people were pulled to safety by the navy and seven bodies had been recovered. The rescue is ongoing amid fears the death toll could rise.
Zawiya, the main point of departure for migrants leaving Libya, is roughly 190 miles by sea away from Italy, and about 30 miles west of the capital Tripoli.
It is estimated that about 34,000 people have been rescued in the waterspace between Libya and Italy since the start of the year. Numbers are only expected to rise with warmer weather.
