ROME
The bodies of at least 12 people have been recovered and almost 400 other migrants rescued by the Italian Coast Guard in the Mediterranean Sea 64 kilometers [60 miles] north of the Libyan coast, Italian state news reports.
The migrants were found Thursday on four boats by two Italian Coast Guard patrol craft which sailed from the island of Lampedusa after receiving distress calls, ANSA news agency reports.
According to ANSA, coast guard crews continued to search the region but did not find or rescue any more migrants.
Instability in Africa and the Middle East has seen many migrants attempting to enter Europe through Italy near Lampedusa and the Strait of Sicily.
