More than 300 people are believed to have drowned off the coast of Libya, an international migration group has said.

Libyan officials reported that between one and three ships sank in Libyan waters yetsreday, the International Organization for Migration said.

Jean-Philippe Chauzy, a spokesman for the organisation, said that the group had confirmation of the through diplomatic sources.

He sayid that strong winds may have caused the vessels to capsize. The International Organization for Migration said that it believes the migrants were trying to cross from North Africa to Italy.