Three die, 8 missing after shipwreck off Italy

ROME, June 9 (Reuters) Three people died and eight were missing today after a boat packed with immigrants seeking entry into Europe sank off the Mediterranean islands of Sicily and Malta, coast guard officials said.

Italy's navy dispatched rescuers to search for the missing migrants after 16 of them were pulled from the water overnight by an Italian fishing boat, the officials said.

Four of them were in serious condition. The coast guard said it still did not know the nationalities of the victims.

With Italy's boot pointing toward Africa and Malta nearby, the European nations are within striking distance for immigrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean by boat. Thousands attempt a crossing every year, often crammed into tiny boats.

Coast guard officials said given the calm conditions, the ship likely sank due to overcrowding.

REUTERS CH BST1319