The UN's refugee agency UNHCR reports that 20 migrants are missing since a ship sank off the Italian island of Lampedusa over the weekend.
Seven people are said to have been rescued by the Italian coastguard. UN staff on site say that the situation for the survivors is critical, according to Chiara Cardoletti, who is UNHCR's chief in Italy.
Italian media report a higher death toll, and say that three of the victims are children.
The people rescued by the coastguard are said to come from Syria.
