Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - The delicate balance of an overcrowded boat carrying hundreds of migrants turned into a frightening roll as an Italian navy ship approached Wednesday.

Passengers had rushed to the port side, a shift in weight that proved too much. People began tumbling into the Mediterranean Sea.

Images taken by Italian sailors showed people clinging to the rails of the teetering ship, while others grabbed the closest person to them.

As the ship was on its side, some of those in the water seemed to sense the danger and began to swim away. People still on board climbed to the starboard side, now the highest point.

There was no stopping the momentum and the ship capsized, sending the rest of the migrants fleeing the Mideast into the sea off the coast of Libya.

The Italian crew threw life jackets and rings into the churning water.

About 562 migrants were rescued, but five people died, the navy said. The number of dead initially was given as seven. Rescuers used dinghies, a helicopter and a second navy ship.

*CNN