Tragedy as 19 migrants die near Italian island of Lampedusa

• Nineteen migrants were found dead and 58 rescued by the Italian coast guard after their dinghy was intercepted in distress near Lampedusa.
• The incident occurred on Tuesday night, approximately 80 nautical miles from the southern Italian island, within the Libyan search and rescue area.
• The Italian coast guard intervened amidst "extreme" sea conditions, with waves exceeding 6-7 metres, as no other rescue teams were available.
• The migrants are believed to have departed from Libya, and the victims likely died from hypothermia, though this is yet to be officially verified.
• Lampedusa serves as a primary entry point to Europe for migrants crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa, a journey that has tragically claimed thousands of lives.

IN FULL

Italian coast guard finds 19 migrants dead and rescues 58 from dinghy off Lampedusa