Italian coastguard units have launched a search for a boat carrying some 50 migrants. The boat reportedly left from the Libyan coast, the first since the overthrow of Col Gaddafi.

The migrants used a satellite phone to contact the Italian authorities late yesterday  giving their position as some 70 miles south off Lampedusa. A second contact was made this morning, with the migrants saying their boat was taking in water. Sea conditions were rough.

According to the Italian press, no trace of the boat has been found yet.

The Maltese armed forces are coordinating the search and a Maltese maritime patrol aircraft is also involved in the search. 

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