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Italian navy in search for 70 immigrants from sunken boat
ROME (AFP) Jun 17, 2003
 The Italian navy said Tuesday it had launched a major search operation for survivors from a boat said to be carrying 70 clandestine immigrants which sank off the coast of Sicily.

The alarm was given Monday by a Tunisian fishing boat which picked up three survivors including two women near the southern island.

The three said they were among 70 aboard the boat which had foundered Saturday.

Italy's long, accessible coastline has made it a magnet for clandestine immigrants, especially from North Africa.

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