More than 400 people are feared dead after a number of boats capsized in the Mediterranean sea.
It's understood migrants had been trying to reach Italy from Egypt – and fewer than 30 have been rescued.
Among those on board were people apparently fleeing violence in Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Italy's President Sergio Mattarella says there's been a migrant tragedy – after up to four boats carrying hundreds of migrants capsized in the Mediterranean.
Details are still emerging, but it's understood fewer than 30 have been rescued
Reporter with GRN in Palermo, Antonella Sferazza says the migrants were attempting the crossing from Egypt.
She says the timing is tragic, coming exactly a year after 800 migrants died off the coast of Lampedusa, near Sicily.
Oxfam says Europe is failing to deal witht he migration crisis, with 10 thousand people trying to reach Europe between Libya and Italy in March alone.
Chief Executive Jim Clarken says today's tragedy shows the EU is failing to protect people.
