More than 40 migrants, including a child, have died and dozens have survived after an overloaded boat capsized in the rough seas of southern Italy.
The ship reportedly broke up near the coastal town of Crotone in the Calabria region while trying to land with 150 people on board.
Several bodies have been recovered from a recreational area near the beach.
A large number of people fleeing conflict and poverty cross from Africa to Italy every year.
“At present, 80 people have been rescued alive, including some who managed to reach the shore after the sinking,” the Coast Guard said in a statement.
“Forty-three bodies were found on the beach,” he added.
Manuela Carrara, a local government official, told JEE News that the boat had left the Turkish coastal city of Izmir three or four days ago.
According to Italian authorities, those on board were mainly from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Iran, and President Sergio Mattarella said many were fleeing “extremely difficult situations”.
One survivor was arrested on charges of migrant smuggling, customs police said.
Adnkronos news agency said the boat sank after hitting rocks during bad weather.
Italian authorities have launched a major search and rescue operation on land and at sea.
Video footage shows wood from the wreckage that has crashed into parts of the beach as well as pieces washing ashore.
Survivors are seen huddled under blankets, attended by Red Cross workers. Some have been taken to hospital.
“There was a landing here, but a tragedy like this has never happened,” Croto Mayor Antonio Serraso told Rye News.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni – who was elected last year in part on a pledge to stem the flow of migrants to Italy – expressed “deep sorrow” over the incident and blamed smugglers for the deaths.
“It is inhumane to exchange the lives of men, women and children for the price of a ‘ticket’ paid in the false context of a safe journey,” he said in a statement.
“The government is, and will continue to be, committed to stopping the exodus, and bringing these tragedies to light with them.”
Carlo Calenda, Italy’s former economy minister, said people in distress at sea should be rescued “no matter what,” but added that “illegal immigration routes must be closed.”
Ms Meloni’s right-wing government has vowed to stop migrants reaching Italy’s shores and in the past few days pushed through a tough new law tightening rescue rules.
More than 20,000 people have died or gone missing in the central Mediterranean since 2014, according to monitoring groups.
European Commission President Ursula van der Leyen said she was “deeply saddened” by the incident, adding that “the loss of innocent migrant lives is a tragedy”. He said it was vital to “redouble our efforts” to make progress on reforming the EU’s asylum laws to tackle the challenges of migration to Europe.
Pope Francis, who often defends the rights of migrants, has said he is praying for the dead, the missing and the survivors.
