Hundreds of refugees feared drowned after boats capsize in the Mediterranean

More than 400 refugees are believed to have drowned after their boats capsized in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Independent reports that the refugees were on course to Italy from Somalia, Eritrea, and Ethiopia in four boats that were allegedly not properly equipped for the journey. Italian president Sergio Mattarella said "several hundred people appear to have died". This tragedy comes almost a year after a fishing boat sank in the Mediterranean with around 800 refugees trapped inside.

Italy today starts an unprecedented operation to raise the 18 April shipwreck. Here's the story so far: https://t.co/nAqkRhDX1y

— Rosie Scammell (@rosiescammell) April 18, 2016