Italian news reports say seven would-be immigrants are feared dead after the makeshift boat that was carrying them to Europe capsized between Italy and Libya.
The ANSA and Apcom news agencies say the boat capsized Tuesday in Libyan waters about 150 miles (241 kilometers) southeast of the Italian island of Lampedusa. The tiny island is closer to North Africa than to mainland Europe.
ANSA says two fishing vessels rescued 21 survivors. The agency quotes one of the fishing ship's captains as saying several bodies were seen in the water but had yet to be recovered.
Port authorities in Palermo and Lampedusa said they had no details of the incident.
