Nineteen Lost

ANN Real-Time UPDATE 1515 EDT The death toll has risen in the ditching of the ATR-72 off the coast of Sicily. Palermo Prosecutor Piero Grasso told the Associated Press that 20 people survived.

"Unfortunately, the toll has gone up," Grasso said. "There are 19 dead and 20 survivors."

ANN Real-Time News 1400 EDT Details are still a little sketchy after a Tunisair ATR-72 flying from Italy to Tunisa ditched in the sea off the coast of Sicily Saturday afternoon after requesting an emergency landing. Reports indicate that seven to nine people were killed and 20 injured.

The aircraft had 39 people on board when the crew requested to make an emergency landing at the Palermo Airport at 1324 GMT, according to an Italian civil aviation authority official speaking with Reuters. The twin-turboprop ATR 72 had departed from Bari in southern Italy, enroute to Djerba, Tunisia, police said.

The plane ditched about 12 miles out to sea at 1340 GMT and rescuers found survivors on the wings of the plane, still afloat. A Tunisian government official told Reuters that 24 of 35 passengers, all Italians, survived the crash.

ANSA newswire reported a death toll of at least nine.

Survivors were brought to shore at Palermo by rescue craft. Many of were reported to have bloody faces and ripped clothing. The area was active with ambulances and helicopters.

FMI: www.tunisair.com.tn, www.atraircraft.com