It is estimated that dozens of people remain missing and feared dead after a boat from Turkey carrying between 180 and 250 asylum seekers broke up in rough waters off the beach of Steccato di Cutro.
Many of the confirmed victims of the disaster are women and children.
Around 80 people survived.
The passengers on board were asylum seekers predominantly from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Syria.
Three people suspected of being traffickers have been detained by the Italian authorities in relation to the disaster, including at least one Turkish national, sources said.
ANSA
