Libya is one of the main departure points for African migrants fleeing poverty and war to reach Italy by boat, but many are intercepted at sea and brought back by the Libyan coast guard, with the approval of the European Union.

The International Organization for Migration said the boat was carrying over 95 migrants and floundered off the coast of the western town of Garaboli, 60 kilometres east of the capital, Tripoli.

More than 100 migrants were rescued on Monday after drifting for hours in the central Mediterranean when their rubber boat's engine failed.