More Bodies Found In Shipwreck Of Would-Be Immigrants To Europe From Africa, 12 Dead

June 6, 2008 1:22 p.m. EST

Palermo, Sicily (AHN) - Seven more bodies of would-be immigrants were recovered from the Mediterranean Sea on Friday bringing the death toll to 12 drowned from a boat that capsized Thursday on its way to Europe from Libya.

Officials believe the boat carried 39 people, 27 of them were rescued on Thursday by Italian fishermen after the boat capsized in waters between Italy and Libya. The dead were recovered by Italian navy crews.

The boat ran into trouble south of a tiny Italian Island that is about 50 miles off the Libyan coast. It is closer to North Africa than mainland Europe. The survivors are believed to be possibly from Ethiopia or Eritrea and are being transported aboard a navy vessel to Sicily.

If they cannot prove they have jobs waiting for them in Europe they will be ordered expelled, but officials say most illegal immigrants don't leave.

They are part of a wave of thousands of would-be immigrants from Africa and Asia that attempt to reach Europe for a better life via rickety boats crossing the Mediterranean Sea every year. Italy has miles of isolated coast lines where they can land.