Twenty-two migrants from Mali, including three children, have died off the coast of Libya.

According to Mali's government, the 22 who died were part of a group of 83 migrants stuck on a distressed vessel since 22nd of the last month.

Of those, 61 were rescued, including some Malian nationals, with the help of the United Nation's International Organization for Migration.

The Ministry of Malians Abroad has said that it is trying to identify the survivors and will do everything to ensure their repatriation.