The perilous crossing from Africa to the shores of Europe has claimed the lives of more migrants.

Survivors said around forty people died and were among about 137 migrants from Ghana, Gambia and the Cote d’Ivoire on board an inflatable boat which set off from Libya, according to the Save the Children Fund charity.

The deaths happened on Sunday and have come to light after the rescue boat, a Maltese merchant ship docked at the Italian island of Sicily with survivors.

It’s claimed some of those who died drowned when they fell into the sea. Witnesses talked of the vessel taking on water and many of he migrants jumped into the water but could not swim.

Over a hundred migrants in a second vessel all arrived safely at a port on the island of Sicily where the Maltese freighter docked.

“They keep leaving, we know that they keep leaving. The testimonies we have taken over the last few weeks tell us about situations that are completely out of control, terrible atrocities. These people