49 migrants rescued by Italian coastguards from boat sinking in Mediterranean

The Coast Guard of Italy rescued 49 migrants who were trying to cross from North Africa to Europe after their boat sank in the Mediterranean Sea near Lampedusa Island on Thursday.

According to Italy’s ANSA news agency, a Coast Guard patrol boat rescued the migrants, who were reportedly from Ivory Coast, Guinea, Senegal, and Bangladesh.

The survivors mentioned that there were other individuals on the boat, and while some went missing, the exact number is unknown.

The report also stated that each migrant paid around $650 for the journey.

According to data from Italy’s Interior Ministry, 2,268 irregular migrants have arrived in the country by sea since the beginning of the year, which is a decrease from 4,963 during the same period last year.