ROME, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Some 400 rescued migrants and refugees were brought to southern Italy on Sunday, including the bodies of 26 women, local media reported.
The migrants arrived on board of Spanish ship Cantabria to the port of Salerno, after being saved during several rescue operations, according to Ansa news agency.
The cause of death of the 26 victims was not clear yet, and autopsies on their bodies might be ordered by judicial authorities, after a first medical examination.
First reports suggested the women might have drowned during the dangerous crossing of the Mediterranean Sea from the African coasts towards Italy.
"The deceased women, possibly of Nigerian nationality, were on board of an inflatable craft, along with men," Ansa quoted Salerno prefect Salvatore Malfi as saying.
"The boat sank, and it is possible these women died because they were the most vulnerable subjects on board," the central government representative added.
The other 400 people rescued were in good health conditions, including nine pregnant women, local media also reported.
Italy has seen a drastic drop in arrivals since after a deal with Libya's authorities and militias was struck in spring to tackle smugglers, and try to stop the endless flow of people trying to reach Europe to escape war, violence, or poverty.
The northern African country has been a major hub for migrant trafficking since after former leader Muhammad Gaddafi was toppled in 2011.
A crucial point in the deal provided that Italy would train Libya's coast guard in order for them to stop and turn back ships leaving the Libyan coasts.
Italy has registered 111,716 arrivals up to Nov. 3, with a 29.97 percent decrease against 159,534 arrivals in the same period in 2016, latest data from the Interior Ministry showed.
In the crucial months of July and August, the number of migrants and asylum-seekers reaching Italy has dropped up to some 70 percent, the Interior Ministry said.
