“A
major rescue operation is under way in the Mediterranean after as
many as 700 migrants are feared to have drowned just outside Libyan
waters, in what could prove to be the worst disaster yet involving
migrants being smuggled to Europe. Italian coastguards have retrieved
28 survivors so far and about 20 bodies, according to the interior
ministry, after the boat went down overnight about 60 miles (96km)
off the Libyan coast and 120 miles (193km) south of the Italian
island of Lampedusa.”
“If
confirmed, Sunday morning’s accident means that at least 1,500
migrants have died so far in 2015 while on route to Europe – at
least 30 times higher than last year’s equivalent figure, which was
itself a record. It comes just days after 400 others drowned last
week in a similar incident. The deaths prompted fresh calls for
Europe to reinstate full-scale search-and-rescue operations in the
Mediterranean. Last October, the EU opted not to replace the
Italian-run operation Mare Nostrum, which saved about 100,000 lives
last year, amid fears that it was encouraging smugglers and migrants
to organise more trips to Europe.”
“Save
the Children, one of the primary aid agencies working with migrants
arriving in Italy, called on EU leaders to hold crisis talks in the
next 48 hours and to resume search-and-rescue operations.”
“In all
of western Libya, the area where the people-smugglers operate,
coastguards have just three operational boats. Another is broken, and
four more are in Italy for repairs. Libyans say they have been told
they will not be returned until after the conclusion of peace talks
between the country’s two rival governments.”
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