At least 26 people have lost their lives in a tragedy off the southern Italian island of Lampedusa.
Tragically, more people are said to be missing after a boat capsized on Wednesday as rescue operations continue in the region.
As per the UN agency, among those rescued were 60 people in total (56 men and four women). However, many more could still be missing as the mission to find them unfolds.
As per the IOM, nearly 95 people were said to be traveling on the two vessels. Now, 35 victims are feared dead. The boat began its journey from Libya and was the latest to befall refugees and migrants making this perilous Mediterranean crossing from Africa to the EU.
Since the start of this year, more than 675 people have already lost their lives in the central Mediterranean while trying to cross this location.
The tragedy was first spotted by a law enforcement aircraft that saw the capsized boat with bodies floating in the water. This led to them triggering an immediate rescue operation, as per a source close to the matter.
Italy’s Prime Minister has previously vowed to block refugee and migrant sea journeys from Africa and also passed measures against human smugglers, including some tougher jail terms.