The Libyan coastguards said Tuesday it had rescued 65 illegal immigrants off Al-Khums shores and managed to recover 5 bodies, adding that between 15 and 20 others are missing.

The coastguards said that the capsized boat was carrying about 90 illegal immigrants.

They added that the five bodies were for a Moroccan woman, Moroccan man, Moroccan child, one Sudanese and one Somali man.

The coastguards said the rescue operation was carried out by "Ubari Boat" and a number of fishing boats off Al-Khums shores.

Libya has become a favorite stepping stone for the illegal immigrants, mostly from African countries, to use illegal sea routes to reach Italy and then go to different European countries.