Nearly 400 migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea from Libya are feared to have drowned after their vessel capsized.

It follows other similar incidents that have happened this week.

Details of their plight are still emerging as hundreds of rescued migrants arrived in the Sicilian capital, some of the 8,480 saved from the water since an armada of rickety boats began to sail from Africa earlier this week.

Those rescued said that one vessel carrying between 500 and 550 people was barely 24 hours into its journey when it capsized.

Harrowing testimony detailed how, as the situation became more frantic, one victim's body was tossed overboard and torn apart by sharks.

Another is said to have died from asphyxiation from diesel fumes.

One of the suspected traffickers, a Guinean man named as Aboubakarma Banghoura, was arrested after he was brought ashore by Italian Coast Guard with 110 rescued passengers. He faces charges of manslaughter.

The tragedy is the latest in a growing crisis of migrants that are dying on the Mediterranean's waters. While travelling illegally many are thought to be attempting to flee war torn areas and oppressive regimes.