More than 40 migrants have died in the Mediterranean after suffocating below the deck of an overcrowded boat, the Italian navy said.
'Operation underway... many migrants saved. At least 40 dead,' it said through its Twitter account.
The boat was carrying around 400 people - of whom 320 have been saved - when it was intercepted south of the Italian island of Lampedusa.
Footage of the rescue shows two navy vessels helping men, women and children - presumably fleeing war and persecution - off the dangerously overcrowded blue ship.
Tragedy: More than 40 migrants have died in the Mediterranean after suffocating below the deck of an overcrowded boat (pictured)