Several migrants, some of whom are struggling to swim, can be seen leaping from an inflatable dinghy which is crammed with sub-Saharan Africans and slowly filling with water. The amateur video was shot from a passing commercial vessel, the Zeran, whose crew are shown throwing ropes to the men.
Some migrants appear to be emptying fuel cans to create makeshift buoyancy aids, while others are scaling rope-ladders lowered by the crew of the Zeran.