Italian coastguard recovers 10 bodies from shipwreck off Malta
Italian authorities joined the search on Sunday afternoon at the request of Maltese authorities
The Italian coastguard has recovered 10 bodies from the shipwreck of a migrant boat some 45 nautical miles off Malta.
In a statement, Italian authorities said the vessel had departed from Libya and was sailing with around 60 people onboard.
"According to the latest information, a fishing vessel in the area has recovered approximately 48 people alive", the Italian coastguard said in a statement.
Malta had requested help in the search and rescue operation, "following the capsizing of a vessel reported with migrants aboard and people in the water", it said.
The shipwreck took place approximately 45 nautical miles east-southeast of Malta, with Italian authorities joining the search on Sunday afternoon.
Malta’s territorial waters extend 12 nautical miles from the coast, but its search and rescue zone extends considerably further, covering thousands of square kilometres.
Italian authorities said searches of the area were ongoing.
At least 827 people have died so far this year attempting the deadly Central Mediterranean crossing, according to the UN's International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
The Central Mediterranean route is the overseas crossing from North Africa to Italy and Malta. Over 1,330 people died on this route last year, IOM said.
Questions were sent to the armed forces.