Italy rescues 56 from sunken African boat

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PALERMO, Sicily, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- At least 56 people were pulled from high seas Friday in the Mediterranean after a migrant ship from North Africa went down off Sicily, officials say.

The boat was believed to be carrying up to 150 people, Italy's ANSA news agency reported.

It sank overnight off the Sicilian island of Lampedusa. At least one person drowned.

A coast guard commander, Filippo Marini, said some of those rescued were pulled from the water while others were found on the small island of Lampion, CNN reported

The vessel started taking on water about seven miles west of Lampedusa, said Capt. Davide Miserandino of Italy's finance police, which is assisting in the search.

The passengers were located shortly after midnight.

Lampedusa is the closest Italian island to Africa. It has become a destination for refugees seeking to come to Europe.

Three NATO ships, two helicopters, a fixed-wing aircraft and police vessels were involved in the search, Marini said.