A dinghy carrying some 20 migrants was intercepted this afternoon by a Libyan patrol boat and is expected to be sent back to Libya, according to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

The migrants early this morning had twice phoned relatives in Italy, using a satellite phone, saying their dinghy was sinking. The migrants on board included a seven-month old baby and three women.

A freighter sent to to the area - at the edge of Libyan waters - found no trace of the boat.

A search by an AFM aircraft also proved negative.

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