(Transcript from World News Radio)
There's been another tragedy at sea in the Mediterranean, with up to 40 people drowning after an overcrowded rubber dinghy sank off the coast of Sicily.
Italy is again appealing for EU help in dealing with the relentless wave of boat arrivals.
But an Italian navy chief says there's no magic solution and Australia's tough "turn back the boats" approach, isn't the answer.
Vesna Nazor with the details.
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Desperate scenes in the Mediteranean.
More than 100 people were crammed onto a rapidly deflating dinghy.
Women and children were among those on board.
A passing cargo ship came to the rescue, the crew throwing ropes and life rafts into the water.
Those on the sinking dinghy frantically tried to reach safety....some jumping, others falling overboard.
Many of those who were rescued climbed up a rope ladder onto the ship.
...as time was running out for those still stranded below.
Astoy Fall Dia - a 24 year old woman from Senegal says she survived because she can swim.
"There was the big ship there and they threw down ropes. Some grabbed onto them. All the other people started pushing to try and save themselves. People started falling in the water. There were those who stayed in the dinghy, and the others were saved."
Rescued survivors were brought ashore in Sicily.
At least five bodies were recovered.
Many more are feared drowned, according to an aid agency that interviewed survivors.
Giovanna di Benedetto from Save the Children says there are varying accounts of what happened.
"It's not clear what happened. They said that either the dinghy deflated or exploded. Some said about 40 people fell into the sea. And they didn't know how to swim. They drowned."
There's been a surge in arrivals from north Africa, with traffickers taking advantage of calm seas and good weather to launch more boats.
In recent days, thousands of people have been rescued by the Italian navy and coastguard...many making the dangerous crossing in over-crowded, and unseaworthy vessels.
More than 1700 would-be migrants have perished so far this year, in the waters between Libya and Italy.
Italy's struggling to cope with the influx, and says it needs more help from the European Union to deal with the crisis.
There have been calls for Europe to adopt Australia's tough policy of turning back boats.
But an Italian naval chief says that's not the answer, and it would be neither morally nor practically feasible to start escorting barely seaworthy boats back to conflict wracked Libya.
When asked if he could learn from Australia's experience, Admiral Donato Marzano said:
"I am a sailor who has spent 20 years on boats. When I find a boat adrift, I'm sorry but I don't turn away. I intervene to help people at sea."
The Admiral says no-one, including Australia, has a magic solution to a complex problem.
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