The Italian navy says at least 40 migrants have died in the Mediterranean Sea and that an unknown number of others were rescued from what local media are describing as an overcrowded people smuggler's boat.
A navy statement on Twitter said the rescue operation is ongoing on the boat, which is reported to be north of Libya. The circumstances that led to the deaths were not immediately clear.
Europe has been flooded by a wave of desperate migrants fleeing poverty and armed conflicts in North Africa and the Middle East.
The International Organization for Migration says more than 192,000 migrants have arrived in Europe by sea this year. More than 2,000 migrants died attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea.
A navy statement on Twitter said the rescue operation is ongoing on the boat, which is reported to be north of Libya. The circumstances that led to the deaths were not immediately clear.
Europe has been flooded by a wave of desperate migrants fleeing poverty and armed conflicts in North Africa and the Middle East.
The International Organization for Migration says more than 192,000 migrants have arrived in Europe by sea this year. More than 2,000 migrants died attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea.
voanews.com
15/8/15
--
-
GR
FR
DE
ES
IT
RU
EU
Au moins 40 migrants meurent asphyxiés dans la cale d'un bateau...
ReplyDeleteL'armée italienne a indiqué sur son compte Twitter qu'une quarantaine de migrants seraient morts en Méditerrannée. Trouvés dans la cale d'un navire transportant 300 personnes, ils n'auraient plus disposé de suffisamment d'air pour respirer.
Au moins quarante migrants qui se trouvaient à bord d'un bateau en Méditerranée ont été retrouvés morts samedi, a annoncé la marine italienne, les médias italiens précisant qu'ils ont probablement étouffé dans la cale.
«Opération de secours en cours sur un bateau (...). De nombreux migrants secourus. Au moins quarante morts», a annoncé la marine sur son compte Twitter.
Selon une journaliste de la chaîne de télévision RaiNews, qui se trouvait pour un reportage au centre de coordination des opérations de la marine, l'opération de secours a débuté peu après 07h00 du matin.
Un hélicoptère de la marine a repéré un bateau en difficulté à environ 21 milles des côtes libyennes, au sud de l'île italienne de Lampedusa. Le bateau, qui transportait quelque 300 migrants, était «surchargé et commençait à couler», a raconté la journaliste de RaiNews..............lefigaro.fr
15/8/15
At least 40 migrants dead at sea, 320 others rescued...
ReplyDeleteAt least 40 migrants died Aug. 15 in the hold of an overcrowded smuggling boat in the Mediterranean Sea north of Libya, apparently killed by fuel fumes, and some 320 others on the same boat were saved by the Italian navy, the rescue ship's commander said.
Migrants by the tens of thousands are braving the perilous journey across the Mediterranean this year, hoping to reach Europe and be granted asylum. They are fleeing war, persecution and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
"The dead were found in the hold," Cmdr. Massimo Tosi, speaking from the navy ship Cigala Fulgosi while the rescue was still ongoing. Asked by RaiNews24 how the migrants died, Tosi said "it appears to be from inhaling exhaust fumes."
"They are still counting the victims," Interior Minister Angelino Alfano told reporters.
Tosi said the survivors included 45 women and three children.............hurriyetdailynews.com
15/8/15