Migrant boat capsize leaves 27 dead in Mediterranean

At least 27 people died when a boat carrying more than 200 migrants capsized in the Mediterranean, Malta's prime minister has confirmed.

Italian and Maltese ships - backed by helicopters - were scrambled to the scene and are searching in darkness.

Last week more than 300 people drowned when a boat carrying African migrants sank near the island of Lampedusa.

The BBC's Matthew Price reports from Lampedusa.

  • World