117 feared dead in dinghy that sank off Libyan coast

ROME — Three survivors of a rubber dinghy that sank in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Libya say up to 117 other migrants were aboard at the time of the capsizing, a U.N. migration official said Saturday.

It appeared to be the latest tragedy on the dangerous central Mediterranean route from North Africa to Europe.

Flavio Di Giacomo of the International Organization for Migration told Italian state TV that “unfortunately about 120” migrants were reported by survivors to have been on the overloaded smugglers’ dinghy when it was launched from Libyan shores Thursday evening.

An Italian navy helicopter rescued the trio Friday.

Meanwhile, the German aid group Sea-Watch said Saturday that it rescued all 47 people from another rubber boat in distress Friday off Libya.

In Spain: Authorities on Saturday said they hope to soon reach the spot where they believe Julen Rosello,

2, is trapped Sunday after the boy fell into a 360foot-deep borehole six days ago during a family meal in the countryside northeast of Malaga. The country remains gripped by the plight of the boy and his family.

In Bolivia: Police say a collision between two buses killed 22 people and injured 37 others Saturday. The accident occurred on the road to Challapata, a town 155 miles from La Paz. Accidents are common in the highlands where narrow highways sometimes wind through mountain ranges near precipices.