60 migrants die in dinghy in Mediterranean,

At least 60 migrants have died after a rubber dinghy ran into trouble in the Mediterranean Sea, according to survivors.

The 25 survivors were picked up by the Ocean Viking, a vessel operated by the humanitarian group SOS Méditerranée.

They told their rescuers that they had set off from Zawiya on the Libyan coast several days before being rescued.

The engine of the dinghy broke down after three days, leaving the boat adrift without food or water.

The survivors said that the victims included women and at least one child. They are believed to have died from dehydration and hunger, not drowning.SOS Méditerranée said the Ocean Viking team had spotted the dinghy, which set off last Friday, with binoculars on Wednesday and had staged a medical evacuation in co-operation with Italian coast guards.

It said the survivors were "in very weak health condition" and were all under medical care.

Two of them, who were unconscious and in critical condition, had been flown to Sicily by helicopter for further treatment, the group added.

The remaining 23 are still on board the Ocean Viking, along with more than 200 other migrants who were rescued from two other boats.

The vessel is heading for the port of Ancona, about four days away, but the team has requested a closer port of safety.

BBC