More than 80 migrants are feared to have died after a boat carrying approximately 120 individuals capsized in the central Mediterranean, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Tuesday. The United Nations' migration agency stated that the vessel, which departed from Libya, overturned during harsh weather conditions, leading to the recovery of at least two bodies and the rescue of 32 survivors.

The ill-fated journey commenced on Sunday when the vessel, carrying an estimated 120 individuals, departed from Tajoura, a coastal town in northwestern Libya. These individuals were reportedly migrants attempting a crossing of the Mediterranean Sea. The IOM indicated that the boat encountered harsh weather conditions during its voyage, which led to it capsizing. The exact moment the vessel overturned was not immediately specified by the agency.

In the wake of the disaster, rescue operations were swiftly initiated. A merchant ship, along with a tugboat, responded to the distress, successfully locating and pulling 32 survivors from the tumultuous waters. Following their rescue at sea, these individuals were subsequently transferred to the care of the Italian coast guard. The coast guard then facilitated their transportation to Lampedusa, a southern Italian island that frequently serves as a first point of entry for migrants arriving from North Africa.

Despite these prompt rescue efforts, the majority of the vessel's occupants remain missing. Out of the approximately 120 people who boarded the boat in Libya, only 32 have been accounted for as survivors, leaving more than 80 individuals missing and feared lost at sea. The International Organization for Migration confirmed that the remains of at least two people were recovered following the capsizing. The incident underscores the persistent risks faced by migrants undertaking such voyages across the central Mediterranean.