Rome - At least 43 people died after a boat carrying migrants crashed against rocks near the coast of southern Italy early on Sunday. At present, 80 people have been found alive, while the search for other possible survivors is still ongoing.

The incident occurred near Steccato di Cutro, a seaside resort on the eastern coast of Calabria.

The shipwreck took place as the wooden boat, carrying about 120 people, hit rocks "a few meters from the shore," according to the coast guard. 

Pope Francis, who has always advocated for migrants' rights, said he was praying for everyone caught up in the shipwreck during his his customary reflections on the Sunday Gospel before leading the recitation of the Angelus in St. Peter’s square.

Mayor of Cutro, Antonio Ceraso, said women and children were among the dead, describing the incident as "a gruesome sight that stays with you for all your life." Firefighters have been searching the sea on jet skis, but harsh conditions have made the operation difficult. Calabria firefighters' spokesman Danilo Maida stated that the search is still ongoing.

Initial reports stated that 27 bodies washed up on the beach, and more were found in the water. The migrants caught up in the shipwreck came from Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed "deep sorrow" for the deadly incident and vowed to stop irregular sea migration to prevent more deaths at sea. Her right-wing government has taken a hard line on migration since it took power in October. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi called it a "huge tragedy," which shows the absolute need to act firmly against irregular migration channels.

Italy is one of the main landing points for migrants trying to enter Europe by sea. The so-called central Mediterranean route is known as one of the world's most dangerous.

According to the International Organization for Migration's Missing Migrants Project, 20,333 people have died or gone missing in the central Mediterranean since 2014.