The Moment A Packed Migrant Boat Overturns

Dramatic pictures have captured the moment a packed migrant vessel overturned off the Libyan coast.

The photographs showed the blue wooden fishing boat rocking violently before capsizing, sending people tumbling into the Mediterranean Sea.

More than 550 migrants were rescued by the Italian navy but five others died and their bodies have been recovered.

Navy patrol ship Bettica had noticed the boat was in difficulty in the Sicily channel.

The ship then approached the vessel and the crew started giving out life jackets.

But the fishing boat capsized due to the sudden movement of a high number of people on board, said the navy.

In the photos, navy personnel are also shown pulling migrants in lifebelts towards safety.

Navy frigate Bergamini deployed a helicopter and several motor boats were used in the rescue operation, which has now ended.

Women and children were among those rescued, but no details of the migrants' nationalities have been given.