In Italy, more than 30 migrants were killed after their overloaded boat sank in rough seas off in the Calabria region.

The vessel broke apart while trying to land with some 100 people aboard near the coastal town of Crotone.

It is unclear where this boat had travelled from but an Italian news agency reported that those aboard were from Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The Italian authorities have mounted a large search-and-rescue operation on land and at sea.