Scores of bodies of refugees have been found in the hold of a boat off the coast of Libya, the Italian and Swedish coastguards have said.
The discovery was made after a Swedish ship, called the Poseidon, was sent to the aid of the stricken vessel by the Italian coastguard on Wednesday, which said it was simultaneously coordinating rescue operations for multiple boats carrying at least 2,000 people.
 
Swedish coastguard spokesman Mattias Lindholm told the AFP news agency that they had been able to save 439 people on the wooden boat.
"Unfortunately there were around 40 people dead in the hold," he said. "The bodies are currently being transferred to the Poseidon."
The Swedish ship was in the area as part of the EU border agency Frontex's search and rescue mission known as Triton.
The Reuters news agency cited the Italian coastguard as saying that about 50 bodies were found in the hold of the boat.
Italian media reported that another boat with about 700 people aboard was in trouble in the same area.
Complex rescue operation
MOAS, a Malta-based private organisation, said in a tweet that its boat, the Phoenix, was taking part in a complex rescue operation.
"Phoenix are working with Italian and Swedish vessels to assist thousands," it said.
Italy's coastguard said at least 10 vessels had issued distress calls and at least 2,000 refugees, "probably more" were in danger.
On August 15, the Italian navy discovered the bodies of 49 migrants asphyxiated in the hold of a people smuggler's boat.
Survivors later testified that the victims had been locked below deck and made to stay there by force.
More than 2,300 refugees have died at sea this year during attempts to reach Europe, almost invariably on overcrowded boats chartered by people smugglers.
The Swedish ship was in the area as part of the EU border agency Frontex's search-and-rescue mission known as Triton [Reuters]
Source: Agencies