Over 300 African migrants feared drowned off Libya

More than 300 African migrants are feared to have drowned after their boats capsized off the coast of Libya, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said on Tuesday.

Up to three vessels lacking lifeboats are believed to have sunk off Libya in heavy winds as they headed for Italy, while a fourth boat in difficulty was towed to shore, IOM spokesman Jean-Philippe Chauzy said.

"Up to three boats appear to have sunk off the Libyan coast. These boats have no life-saving material on board. It would seem that more than 300 people have disappeared at sea," Chauzy told Reuters in Geneva. "They were not at swimming distance from shore".

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