Hundreds feared dead after boat carrying migrants capsizes off coast of Libya

A boat full of migrants is seen next to Swedish ship Poseidon during a rescue operation in the sea off the coast of Libya Credit: Reuters

Hundreds of people are feared to have drowned after a boat packed with migrants sank off the coast of Libya, trapping many in the hold.

Around half of the 400 people on board are believed to have died when the boat capsized, having set off from the western town of Zuwara.

The Libyan coastguard had rescued an estimated 200 people from the water by late evening, according to a security official in the town - of which 147 were taken to a detention centre for illegal migrants in Tripoli.

The bodies of migrants are seen lying on the floor. Credit: Reuters

Around 100 bodies have reportedly been found, with dozens more still unaccounted for.

Those on board had travelled from sub-Saharan Africa, Pakistan, Syria, Morocco and Bangladesh, before setting off to brave the perilous journey across the Mediterranean.

It comes after at least 10 people died when a boat carrying 200 migrants sank in a similar location.

Hundreds of migrants are feared to have died. Credit: Reuters

More than 2,300 migrants have died so far this year trying to reach Europe by boat, according to the International Organisation for Migration.

Libya has become one of the major transit route for migrants trying to flee poverty and war.