The overcrowded boats were losing buoyancy and the migrants were not equipped with life jackets , the navy added . The migrants , who set sail from North Africa , are being transported to a Sicilian port . They were losing water and did n't have life ##boats , navy says . The navy says 124 women and 29 children are among those rescued . Sicily is a major gateway into Europe for migrants from North Africa .
The migrants , who set sail from North Africa , are being transported to a Sicilian port . They were losing water and did n't have life ##boats , navy says . The navy says 124 women and 29 children are among those rescued . Sicily is a major gateway into Europe for migrants from North Africa .