
AFP – Italian media reported today that Nigerian migrants were among 
several dozen people who drowned weekend off the coast of Libya, while 
attempting to cross into Italy. Thirty one migrants, including nine 
women, drowned off the coast of Libya during an attempted crossing to 
Italy according to survivors who managed to complete the journey, 
Italian media reported Sunday.
A dinghy carrying 53 migrants 
capsized on Friday evening, and witnesses said 31 of those who had been 
thrown off it drowned in the accident.
The twenty two survivors, 
who come from Nigeria, Gambia, Benin and Senegal, said the dinghy had 
capsized after three days at sea. They were rescued by a passing 
merchant ship and taken to Lampedusa island, the reports said.