6 bodies recovered, 500 rescued by Italian navy off coast of Libya

The Italian navy had a torrid time rescuing over 500 migrants who were cramped up in a dingy boat and also recovered six lifeless bodies who reportedly fell out of a leaking rubber vessel while making the dangerous trip from Libya to Italy.

Reports say the helicopters used in Monday’s rescue are based on the Italian aircraft carrier Garibaldi, the flagship of the European Union’s anti people-trafficking mission in the Mediterranean.

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The navy revealed that two patrol boats and two helicopters were still searching for survivors and any other victims following the boat mishap.

According to a spokesperson for the UNHCR, the death toll on the route from North Africa to Italy has jumped to one migrant for every 42 making the crossing, compared to one in every 52 last year.

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