Migrant Boat Sinks off Italy, Up to 250 Missing:

There was a missing population of between 130 and 250, with at least fifteen people appearing dead. Coast guards and relief workers said at the beginning of Wednesday. Rescuers collected 47 people including a pregnant woman who sank around 40 kilometers south of Lampedusa island which left Libya two days ago.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). A migrant assistance agency with officials on Lampedusa another three people rescued by an Italian fishing vessel. Between 15 and 20 bodies seen in the water, officials said but high winds and rough seas made it difficult for coast guard ships and a police helicopter to operate. Officials from the coast guard reported that the ship had originally transported some 200 passengers. While the IOM placed the number at 250, 300 are missing.

Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni signed a deal with the Tunisian Government:

The incident showed the risks of desperate people paying some 1,000 euros (1.427 dollars) to a fishing vessel that is crowded and transporting refugees and migrants from Africa. More than 400 people were missing from Libya on two vessels by the United Nations Refugee Agency Border Control. Thousands have crossed the border until this year. Following the fall of the former Tunisian regime and struggles in Libya, which had previously prevented Europe from crossing stringent borders. The majority were young men from Tunisia who try to enter France. However, there were more and more arrivals from Libya in recent days which underline Italy’s fears. 

IOM said that over the last 10 days. Mostly 2,000 African migrants and asylum seekers have arrived from Libya in Lampedusa. The crisis has focussed on Lampedusa around the halfway point between Sicily and Tunisia. Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni signed a deal with the Tunisian government. Try to stop the influx of illegal immigrants, commit assistance, strengthen police cooperation, and the possible mandatory repatriation. The agreement confirmed by a cabinet meeting in Rome that formed an Interministerial Contact Group to track progress.