libya. a joint qu operation is under way. we are told 49 have been rescued but 23 bodies have also been recovered. barbie nade, auru of "the balda beast" is joining us now. >> reporter: the distress call came in at 11:30. this boat, one of the larger vessels for these migrants coming to italy to europe by way of italy, they sent out a distress call and the italian coast guard alerted mernlts in the area. we understand when the people on the boat saw the merchant ship, they rushed to one sized of the bode and that contributed to this cap-sizing of the vessel. it was dark out. the water was very cold and seas were rough and a lot of people simply went underwater. we understand from the coast guard they are seeing either bodies in the water.