At least 27 migrants died after a boat capsized early in the morning in the Italian coastal town of Crotone in the southern region of Calabria, Italian media reported on Sunday.
The ANSA news agency said at least 30 people were believed to have drowned.
The search for survivors continues, interrupted by stormy seas.
The AGI news agency quoted rescue workers as saying that a baby who was only a few months old was the victim.
He said the migrant boat was overloaded and broke apart due to violent waves.
The Italian coast guard declined to comment when contacted by AFP.
The latest tragedy comes just days after the right-wing government passed through parliament a controversial new law on rescuing migrants.
Far-right President Giorgia Meloni, leader of the post-Fascist Brothers of Italy party, won power in October, partly on a promise to stem the flow of migrants reaching Italy’s shores.
The new law forces migrant aid boats to make only one rescue attempt at a time, which critics say risks increasing the number of drowning in the central Mediterranean.
The route is considered the world’s most dangerous crossing for asylum seekers in Europe.
Many people are fleeing conflict and poverty for what they hope will be a better life in Europe crossing from Africa through Italy.