Gambia’s National Women’s Football Team Goalkeeper among 240 migrants killed in shipwrecks off Libya

Up to 240 migrants have been killed in two shipwrecks off the coast of Libya, the UN refugee agency has said.

There were 31 survivors, the United Nations confirmed, after the boats capsized in heavy seas.

Spokeswoman Carlotta Sami said 29 people had survived the first wreck, which killed around 120, and been brought to the Italian island of Lampedusa.

And in a separate operation, two women found swimming at sea told rescuers another 120 people had died in that wreck.

Most of those on board are thought to be sub-Saharan Africans although aid worker are still confirming details.

The news came after it emerged that Gambia’s national women’s football team goalkeeper, Fatim Jawara, drowned while trying to make a similar journey.

The 19-year-old was on board a boat last month when it ran into trouble making a crossing, the country’s football association confirmed. Some 4,220 people have died on gone missing crossing the Mediterranean this year, the highest toll on record.