At least 59 migrants, including a baby just a few months old, died when their overcrowded boat smashed into rocky reefs and broke apart off the Italian coast before dawn on Sunday.
The wooden gulet, a Turkish sailing boat, was carrying upwards of 250 people when it crashed into a rock near the region of Calabria in the south of the country.
Initial reports claimed the vessel split in two due to its heavy load and rough seas, but survivors have told rescuers there was an explosion on board.
The provisional death toll stood at 58, said Manuela Curra, a provincial government official. A further 81 people survived, with 20 admitted to hospital, including one person in intensive care, she said.
One survivor was arrested on migrant trafficking charges, the Guardia di Finanza customs police said.
Mr Curra said the vessel left Izmir in eastern Turkey three or four days ago, adding that survivors had said about 140 to 150 were on board the 20-metre-long boat.
Other estimates suggested between 200 and 250 people were on board.
The survivors were mostly from Afghanistan, as well as a few from Pakistan and a couple from Somalia.
“Many of these migrants came from Afghanistan and Iran, fleeing conditions of great hardship”, Italian President Sergio Mattarella said.
It comes just weeks after MPs approved legislation to restrict sea rescues, with captains risking a €50,000 ($52,800) fine if found in breach of the new rules.
The boat left from Izmir in Turkey four days ago, according to authorities, and was spotted on Saturday 65km off the coast by aircraft from European border agency Frontex.
Boats also often leave from Libya, undertaking the deadliest route across the Mediterranean which has claimed the lives of more than 17,000 people since 2014, according to figures from the International Organisation for Migration.
“There have been landings but never a tragedy like this,” RAI quoted local mayor Antonio Ceraso as saying. “The sea keeps returning the bodies. It’s something you would never want to see.”
Pope Francis said he was praying for all those involved in the tragedy during his weekly address in St Peter’s Square.
Italian MPs recently approved legislation proposed by prime minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing administration to impose stricter rules on charities rescuing migrants at sea.
Under the new rules, charity ships must request a port and sail to it “without delay” after a rescue, rather than remain at sea looking for other migrant boats in distress.
Ms Meloni assumed power in October pledging to curb migration to Italy.
She expressed “deep sorrow” over Sunday’s incident but vowed to crackdown on migrant crossings.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said it was a huge tragedy “which shows the absolute need to act firmly against irregular migration channels.”
