LAMPEDUSA, Italy (Reuters) -At least 26 people died in a migrant shipwreck on Wednesday off the southern Italian island of Lampedusa and 60 survivors were brought ashore, the coastguard said, warning more bodies could be missing as search operations continue.

A tragic shipwreck near Lampedusa claimed at least 26 lives, with 60 survivors rescued. The migrants, journeying from Libya to Europe, faced perilous conditions. Rescue operations continue as Italy's government vows stronger action against illegal sea journeys and people smuggling.

Sixty people survived after two boats with nearly 100 migrants capsized. The causes of the shipwrecks were not clear, Italian officials and U.N. agencies said. The death toll is likely to grow.