ROME - The Italian Navy on Wednesday saved around 500 migrants and recovered seven bodies off the Libyan coast, a statement from the navy said.
The navy's Bettica ship during its surveillance and security activities in the area pinpointed a boat in trouble with numerous migrants onboard, according to the statement.
"Shortly later, the boat capsized because of the overcrowding and instability due to the too high number of people onboard," the statement added.
The Italian Navy intervened with Bettica and another ship named Bergamini, launching life boats, sending a rescue helicopter and throwing life jackets into the water.
Searches were continuing for other possible survivors, the statement also added.
Local newspaper Corriere della Sera said many of the migrants were unable to swim, and among them there were dozens of children and women.
More than 3,000 migrants have landed in southern Italy over the past 48 hours, the report added.
Wednesday's shipwreck was the latest in a series of migrant disasters which have occurred in the southern Mediterranean.
Italy is facing growing flows of sea migrants from African and Middle Eastern countries. The arrivals generally diminish with the bad weather and grow in the summer season. (Xinhua)