Dinghies with 170 migrants on board missing in Med

Three survivors picked up by helicopter after 10 to 11 hours at sea, but charities fear worst after bodies seen in water

An estimated 170 migrants have gone missing in the Mediterranean in two incidents involving dinghies that left from Libya and Morocco, migrants organisations have said.

One dinghy was spotted sinking in rough waters on Friday by an Italian military plane on patrol. The plane dropped two safety rafts into the water but had to leave due to a lack of fuel, Rear Admiral Fabio Agostini told TV channel RaiNews24.