ROME - The search for missing migrants off Lampedusa was suspended Friday due to rough seas that complicated recovery efforts, the Coast Guard said.

 

 Tragedy struck Thursday when a boat carrying roughly 500 asylum-seekers capsized near the island of Lampedusa. The migrants, most of whom were Somali and Eritreans, had lit a small fire to attract attention from the Italian Coast Guard after an equipment malfuction. When the fire spread, panic erupted, causing the boat to capsize. The disaster has prompted for Friday to be called a national day of mourning.

 

Though more than 150 people were rescued from the wreck, the Italian Coast Guard reports that 111 people lost their lives, half of whom were women. Authorities believe that dozens more corpses are trapped in the wreckage, located 47 meters below the surface of the sea.

 

Italian Interior Minister, Angelino Alfano, praised the efforts of rescue workers, stating  "you have to award the Nobel Peace Prize to Lampedusa." Pope Francis called for action in response, asking the people to "unite our efforts" in order that such tragedies are not repeated."