08 Aug 2004 16:46 UTC
Police Sunday said the information came from some of the 74 survivors who were picked up Saturday by a merchant ship off the Sicilian coast.
Police reported the survivors initially said they were from Sudan and tried to claim political asylum. Upon closer questioning, they admitted to being from Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Ivory Coast.
Last month, 37 Africans were rescued at sea as they tried to seek asylum in Italy by falsely claiming they were from Sudan.
Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AFP.
E-mail This Article To A Friend
Italian police say at least 26 African immigrants have died trying to reach Italy in a small wooden boat.
BizVantage
– When knowing counts: Business, Investing, Technology.
Try the free, no-hassle 6 month trial!
Authorities said survivors told them about 100 people had been packed into a 14-meter boat that left Libya nine days ago.