ROME - A total of 54 migrants died during their crossing from Libya to Italy, local media reported on Tuesday.

The migrants died of thirst after a two-week voyage, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) found out, according to ANSA news agency.

A sole survivor was reportedly rescued by the Tunisian coast guards in a state of advanced dehydration after he was spotted by local fishermen.

The man, an Eritrean national, said he had left Libya to reach Italy with a group of migrants, but the boat was driven back by strong winds after almost reaching the Italian coast.

The migrants suffered from dehydration, and began drinking sea water, until they died of thirst, he said.

According to the UNHCR, since the beginning of 2012 some 1,300 migrants have landed in Italy by sea, and 170 have died while trying to reach Europe.

Last year, some 50,000 people landed in Italy after North Africa and the Middle East fell into political uncertainties, and hundreds were lost at sea while making the crossing.