Witnesses say ship with 600 sank near Libya, says UNHCR

Spokeswoman Laura Boldrini says the agency is trying to confirm what happened to the passengers when the vessel broke apart at sea on Friday.

The U.N. Refugee Agency says it has received witness reports that a ship carrying up to 600 migrants trying to flee Libya sank off the coast of the North African country.

Spokeswoman Laura Boldrini says the agency is trying to confirm what happened to the passengers when the vessel broke apart at sea on Friday.

Witnesses who departed on another boat shortly after reported seeing the ship broken apart and bodies floating in the sea. That boat arrived later in Italy.

Ms. Boldrini said on Monday that at least another three boats that departed Libya in recent months laden with migrants never made it to Italy.