At least 60 people have drowned on a vessel carrying migrants across the Mediterranean Sea.

It is believed that the vessel was travelling from Libya to Italy or Malta.

The 25 survivors were picked up by the Ocean Viking, a vessel operated by the humanitarian group SOS Méditerranée.

They told their rescuers that they had set off from Zawiya on the Libyan coast seven days before being rescued.

The survivors departed from Zawiya, Libya, 7 days before they were rescued

A spokesperson from SOS Méditerranée said: "The survivors departed from Zawiya, Libya, seven days before they were rescued.

"Their engine broke after three days, leaving their boat lost (and) adrift without water and food for days. Survivors report that at least 60 people perished on the way, including women and at least one child."

The United Nations migration agency (IOM) said it was "deeply troubled" by the report. A spokesperson said: "Urgent action is needed to strengthen maritime patrols and prevent further tragedies."

The SOS Méditerranée said its Ocean Viking vessel had evacuated 25 people who were spotted using binoculars who were on a rubber boat drifting in the Libyan search and rescue area.

Italy and other European Union governments are trying to curb the number of sea migrants making the crossing from North Africa.

Various European governments have offered money or equipment to Libya and Tunisia to stop departures from their shores.

Data from the Italian Interior Ministry record that 5,968 migrants have arrived by sea so far this year, down from 19,937 at the same stage in 2023.