News reaching the desk of CEOAFRICA.com states that over 90 African migrants lost their lives few hours ago, when a boat carrying them caught fire and capsized near the Lampedusa Island in Italy.

According to sources, about 500 people were on board the boat which originated from Libya, most of them came from Eritrea and Somalia.

Speaking about the incident, the Mayor of Lampedusa, Guisi Nicolini, disclosed that the boat caught fire after people set off flares to attract attention from passing ships.

High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres expressed "shock" over the boat tragedy.  He also expressed dismay at what he called a "rising global phenomenon" of people fleeing conflict or persecution, and perishing at sea.