Italy shipwreck death toll rises to 70

Baku, March 5, AZERTAC

The body of another child victim of last Sunday's migrant-boat shipwreck off Italy’s Calabrian town of Cutro was found on Saturday, taking the number of confirmed victims of the disaster up to 70, according to ANSA.

The body of a boy, apparently aged 12 or 13, was found on Botricello beach, about 10 kilometres from where a fishing boat carrying up to around 200 asylum seekers broke up in rough seas last week.

The body of a child aged around three was recovered in waters off Cutro earlier on Saturday.

The confirmed death toll includes 16 minors.

Around 80 people survived the disaster.

An estimate made on Friday by the Crotone prefect's department on the basis of police reports put the number of people missing feared dead at between 27 and 47.

A probe has been opened into whether rescue operations were negligently delayed.

The government has staunchly defended the coast guard, which has said it followed its rules in handling such situations.