This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/29/world/middleeast/libya-migrant-boat-sinks.html
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| At Least 150 Migrants Feared Dead After Boat Sinks Off Libya | At Least 150 Migrants Feared Dead After Boat Sinks Off Libya |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| CAIRO — At least 150 people are believed to have drowned off western Libya after a fishing boat carrying migrants sank in the Mediterranean, Libyan and international relief officials said on Friday. | |
| If confirmed, the death toll on Thursday would be among the highest this summer for refugees and migrants trying to reach Europe from North Africa. | If confirmed, the death toll on Thursday would be among the highest this summer for refugees and migrants trying to reach Europe from North Africa. |
| Jamal Naji Zubia, a spokesman for the Tripoli-based government, said that the boat had sunk off the city of Zuwarah on Thursday. The city is a frequent departure point for migrants and refugees trying to make the Mediterranean crossing, often in packed fishing boats or rubber dinghies. | Jamal Naji Zubia, a spokesman for the Tripoli-based government, said that the boat had sunk off the city of Zuwarah on Thursday. The city is a frequent departure point for migrants and refugees trying to make the Mediterranean crossing, often in packed fishing boats or rubber dinghies. |
| More than 300,000 people are estimated to have tried the crossing this year, and at least 2,500 have died or are missing, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. | |
| Mr. Zubia said that at least 150 people had died in the sinking, and that they had came from several countries. A Libyan Red Crescent official said that 82 bodies had washed ashore, that 100 people were still missing and that 198 had been rescued, Reuters reported. | Mr. Zubia said that at least 150 people had died in the sinking, and that they had came from several countries. A Libyan Red Crescent official said that 82 bodies had washed ashore, that 100 people were still missing and that 198 had been rescued, Reuters reported. |
| Carlotta Sami, a spokeswoman for the United Nations refugee agency, said that two separate boats from Libya had sunk on Thursday: a dinghy in the morning and a larger fishing boat around 6:30 p.m. | |
| The fishing boats that transport migrants usually carry from 300 to 400 people, she said. Most of the deaths were believed to be from the larger boat. | The fishing boats that transport migrants usually carry from 300 to 400 people, she said. Most of the deaths were believed to be from the larger boat. |
| Libyan Red Crescent workers told Ms. Sami that they did not have enough body bags for the numbers of corpses recovered. | Libyan Red Crescent workers told Ms. Sami that they did not have enough body bags for the numbers of corpses recovered. |