Bodies of 23 migrants recovered from Mediterranean Sea

The bodies of 23 people have been recovered by a European operation in the Mediterranean Sea near Libya.

A Spanish rescue vessel was involved in two operations. During the first, some 146 migrants were rescued.

Meanwhile the ship’s helicopter patrolled the area and identified another dinghy in difficulty.

A further 64 people were rescued and 23 bodies recovered.

The Italian coastguard reported about 700 people picked up in recent days during six operations.