UNHCR says shipwreck off Libya may have cost many lives

The latest shipwreck off the coast of Libya may have cost many lives, although preliminary information suggested that about 60 people may have been rescued, U.N. refugee agency spokesman Charlie Yaxley said on Tuesday.

"Terrible news coming in of potentially large loss of life in a shipwreck off the coast of Libya," Yaxley said in a tweet, adding that details were still sketchy.

Unseaworthy vessels overloaded with migrants trying to reach Europe regularly capsize off Libya. Last week more than 100 people died, and a boat with about 250 capsized last month.