At least 11 illegal immigrants drown off Italy

Italian rescue ships have recovered 11 bodies of immigrants off the southern Italian island of Lampedusa after a boat bringing…

Italian rescue ships have recovered 11 bodies of immigrants off the southern Italian island of Lampedusa after a boat bringing dozens of illegal migrants to Italy capsized, an official said today.

Captain Elio Gallinaro, a spokesman for the central command of Italy's coastguards, said the rescue operation began after a fishing ship picked up several survivors yesterday and raised the alarm.

He said the Italian navy and coastguard and ships from the Tunisian navy were participating in the search.