Italian Coast Guard rescues 70 immigrants

The Italian Coast Guard rescued around 70 people from drowning off the coast of Libya after their boat tumbled in international waters at the Mediterranean Sea. According to Italian news agency (ANSA), the Coast Guard also recovered at least three bodies. Survivors, believed to be illegal immigrants, were transferred to a ship operated by the Italian navy. They are expected to reach the island of Lampedusa later on Sunday. The agency did not mention the nationalities of the victims or survivors. Italian Coast Guard ships continued searches for survivors in the region, which lies 56 miles off the Libyan coast and 140 miles from the island of Lampedusa. Italian authorities took action after a call for help was received from a phone via satellite and was reported to the authorities in both Libya and Malta. A Maltese plane spotted the stricken boat later.