More than 150 people were rescued and are being returned to Libya said the UN refugee agency.

"Reports coming in of large shipwreck off the coast of Libya. Some 150 survivors understood to have been saved, returned to Libya. One of the survivors reports that a large group died at sea, estimates could be around 150," said Charlie Yaxley, UNCHR global spokesperson for Africa and the Mediterranean on his official Twitter account.

Announcing as the tragic news of a deadly shipwreck off the coast of al-Khoms, Libya, UNCHR said up to 100 persons may have lost their lives while other 140 have been rescued and disembarked, receiving medical and humanitarian assistance by UNCHR partner IMC. (ILKHA)