ROME (AFP) - Around 150 African refugees fleeing Libya were feared dead on Thursday after their boat capsized in stormy weather in the middle of the Mediterranean and choppy seas severely hampered rescue efforts. Dozens of bodies, including those of young children, were seen floating in the water but had not been recovered due to a storm. "We are still searching for 150 people. The hope of finding other survivors is fading by the hour," Interior Minister Roberto Maroni said in parliament, a day after 53 survivors were plucked from the sea. Italian and Maltese coast guard vessels and planes were taking part in the high-seas rescue operation.