Rome: About 30 bodies have been found in a migrant boat rescued in the waters between Sicily and the North African coast, Italian news agencies have reported, citing the navy and the coastguard. Over the weekend more than 1600 migrants travelling in seven boats were intercepted by the navy and coastguard, Italian authorities reported.

The rescuers made the gruesome discovery of dead bodies when they went on board a fishing boat that was carrying about 590 refugees and migrants, to evacuate those in the most distress, including two pregnant women.

North African migrants disembark from an Italian Navy ship in Sicily. Credit:AP

The immigrants apparently died of asphyxiation, the news agencies said.

It's not the first time Italian rescuers have found migrants dead on the overcrowded boats but never before has there been such a large number.