8 dead as refugee boat capsizes off Libyan coast

By Baris Seckin

ROME (AA) - A refugee boat carrying more than 100 people bound for Europe has capsized off the coast of Libya, killing at least 8, Italian media reported Saturday.

According to Italian news agency, ANSA, the boat sank about 30 miles (48 kilometres) off the Libyan coast in the Mediterranean Sea.

So far four refugees have been rescued as the Italian Coast Guard teams continue search for survivors amid bad weather conditions in the area, the media reported.

Nearly 90 refugees are still missing.

According to the International Organization for Migration, some 4,500 refugees bound for Europe have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea since the current refugee crisis began.