A number of hundred migrants are believed to have died after 4 boats capsized within the Mediterranean.
Italy’s president, Sergio Mattarella, stated there had been a migrant “tragedy”, as unconfirmed stories steered the overwhelming majority of these on board the vessels have been Somalis, making an attempt to cross the ocean from Egypt to Europe.
Talking at a prize giving ceremony in Rome, Mr Mattarella stated Europe wanted to mirror within the face of “yet one more tragedy within the Mediterranean through which, it appears, a number of hundred individuals have died.”
Round 800 migrants and refugees drowned on 18 April final yr, when the overcrowded fishing boat they have been in capsized in waters between Libya and the Italian island of Lampedusa.
Mr Mattarella didn’t give any additional particulars – and neither Egyptian or Greek officers have been capable of affirm the studies of a serious catastrophe.
The Italian coastguard stated they knew nothing concerning the reported catastrophe.
Nevertheless, they have been concerned within the in a single day rescue of 108 migrants from a semi-submerged rubber dinghy. Six individuals drowned within the incident.
Italian overseas minister Paolo Gentiloni added: “We’re on the lookout for extra particulars, info. However what is certain is that we’re once more with a tragedy within the Mediterranean – precisely one yr after the tragedy we had, not within the Egyptian however within the Libyan waters.
“That is one other robust purpose for Europe to commit itself not in constructing partitions however in strengthening our widespread dedication in the direction of migration, particularly in the direction of Africa.”
It comes as a report by teachers accused EU policymakers of “killing by neglect” by decreasing search and rescue missions within the Mediterranean.
Mare Nostrum, the Italy-led rescue mission, was scrapped in October 2014 and changed by Triton, which deployed fewer ships and prioritised deterring migrants over rescue operations.
The change has since probably value the lives of greater than 1,500 migrants, in line with the report, Dying By Rescue: The Deadly Results Of The EU’s Insurance policies Of Non-help At Sea.
A charity warned the numbers of migrants braving the perilous journey by sea to Europe is unlikely to fall – regardless of an EU deal to deport those that have failed to realize asylum.
“The numbers won’t cease coming as a result of they haven’t any selection however to attempt to attain Europe,” stated Sarah Tyler, head of communications for Save The Youngsters Worldwide.
“What they’re abandoning just isn’t a life that’s value dwelling, many youngsters have informed me. So, sure, the protected passage needs to be carried out and search and rescue measures have to be continued.”