The number of people known to have died in two illegal immigrant tragedies off southern Italy has risen to 16 as two additional bodies were found off the coast of Sicily, Ansa news agency reported Sunday. Seven drowned as their wooden boat broke into pieces when it hit a sand bank some 200 metres off the coast of Calabria, DPA quoted the report as saying. There could have been up to 150 illegal immigrants on the 30-metre boat, but so far only 120 survivors have been found. They were being housed in a sports hall in the village of Roccella Ionica. It could not be ruled out that there would be more victims of the tragedy, the report said. When the accident occurred, the seas were very stormy, the report said. The second illegal immigrant drama occurred off the coast of Sicily where seven bodies were initially recovered. The two additional bodies brings the total dead from that tragedy to nine. Authorities believe 24 people were on the second boat when the would-be immigrants got into trouble in high seas in their dinghy. Seven people were rescued and were taken to a reception centre in Cassibile near Syracuse. Search teams were combing the area with ships and an aircraft for the remaining eight missing.
