ROME, Aug 14 (Reuters) - An Italian military aircraft spotted what appeared to be the bodies of up to 10 migrants floating in the sea off the island of Lampedusa on Tuesday, coastguard officials said.

Three boats were dispatched to recover the bodies found in Maltese waters, officials added. They could not confirm if the migrants were all dead until the bodies were recovered.

Thousands of migrants attempt perilous sea crossings from Africa to Europe each year in crowded, flimsy boats that often do not survive the voyage.

Lampedusa, which is closer to Africa than mainland Italy, is a popular entry point for migrants in search of a better life in the European Union.

AlertNet news is provided by