The number of migrants rescued from the sea after their boat capsized early yesterday has risen to 53, but estimates of the number of persons on board have risen to some 300, the Italian Coastguard authorities said last night. The initial estimates had been of around 200 people on the boat.

An intensive search is continuing off Lampedusa by Italian patrol boats and aircraft. A Maltese patrol boat and an aircraft are also scanning the waters closer to Malta.

The Italian authorities reported than tens of lifeless bodies have been spotted in the sea, including women and children.

A heavily pregnant woman was among those rescued.

The AFM confirmed yesterday afternoon that the Malta Rescue Centre had been in contact with the boat, some two hours before the incident happened. At the time it was still proceedings towards Lampedusa.

The boat capsized some 40 miles southwest of Lempedusa in rough seas.

Migrants on board the board informed friends in Malta and Lampedusa that they were on their way. The authorities managed to contact them and plotted their position.

Some two hours later, at daybreak, the boat capsized in heavy seas, apparently as the migrants shifted to one side on seeing a fishing boat approach.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie expressed shock at the reported drownings.