Dozens of bodies of drowned migrants have washed ashore in far southern Italy. Italian media reported that at least 40 people were killed. Among them are many children. The Public Broadcasting Corporation (RAI) reported that an infant also died at a few months of age.

The boat had left from Turkey. The ship would have been overloaded and unable to withstand the rough seas, causing it to split in two in the Mediterranean. There were about 180 migrants on board when the accident occurred early this morning.

About 50 people were rescued, but many are still missing. Some have reached the coast on their own, RAI reports. According to the ANSA news agency, there are still bodies at sea that need to be recovered.

The bodies were found on the beach at Steccato di Cutro, a coastal town near the town of Crotone. Police and emergency services on site. Patrol boats and a Coast Guard helicopter are assisting in the rescue effort.

Adnkronos news agency reported that the migrants come from Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan.