At least eight immigrants die in seas off Sicily

ROME, June 17 (Reuters) Eight illegal immigrants were found dead in waters south of Sicily today after their boat capsized.

An Italian coastguard spokesman said the bodies had been sighted by a plane around 67 miles (108 km) south of Lampedusa, an Italian island between Sicily and Libya which is a common destination for African immigrants.

''We can't tell where they come from or who they are,'' the spokesman said.

The hazardous boat journeys from North Africa to the southern borders of the European Union have increased in recent weeks due to fine weather and calm seas.

On Thursday 324 illegal immigrants reached Lampedusa.

REUTERS PJ RN2345