29 African migrants die of severe cold off Italian coast

ROME: Twenty-nine African migrants intercepted by Italian authorities while trying to reach Europe by boat in rough and icy conditions have died of hypothermia, most after being rescued, sources told AFP Monday.

Coastguard speedboats picked up 105 migrants in the Mediterranean overnight, seven of whom were already dead, from a converted fishing boat battered by high winds and waves that hit eight metres (26 feet), said coastguard spokesman Filippo Marini.