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| Record migrant death toll increases after two boats capsize off Italy | |
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| About 100 people are missing and feared dead after two boats capsized off Italy, increasing the estimated death toll among migrants in the Mediterranean this year to at least 5,000, a record, UN agencies have said. | About 100 people are missing and feared dead after two boats capsized off Italy, increasing the estimated death toll among migrants in the Mediterranean this year to at least 5,000, a record, UN agencies have said. |
| Deaths linked to Mediterranean crossings by migrants trying to reach Europe have spiked in 2016. Last year, more than 1 million people crossed the sea — mostly from Turkey to Greece — with 3,771 deaths recorded. But this year, about 360,000 people have crossed, most between Libya and Italy, with far more deadly results. | Deaths linked to Mediterranean crossings by migrants trying to reach Europe have spiked in 2016. Last year, more than 1 million people crossed the sea — mostly from Turkey to Greece — with 3,771 deaths recorded. But this year, about 360,000 people have crossed, most between Libya and Italy, with far more deadly results. |
| “The latest information we have is that yesterday, in two incidents, as many as 100 people lost their lives,” said William Spindler, a spokesman for the UN refugee agency, UNHCR. | “The latest information we have is that yesterday, in two incidents, as many as 100 people lost their lives,” said William Spindler, a spokesman for the UN refugee agency, UNHCR. |
| “The number of people who have lost their lives on the Mediterranean this year has now passed 5,000,” he added. “That means that on average, 14 people have died every single day this year in the Mediterranean trying to find safety or a better life in Europe.” | “The number of people who have lost their lives on the Mediterranean this year has now passed 5,000,” he added. “That means that on average, 14 people have died every single day this year in the Mediterranean trying to find safety or a better life in Europe.” |
| Citing survivors’ accounts, Joel Millman, a spokesman for the International Organisation for Migration, said that at least 57 people were feared dead after a rubber dinghy carrying between 120 and 140 people capsized on Thursday. He said eight bodies had been recovered. Another 40 people were feared dead from another dinghy also carrying about 120 people. | Citing survivors’ accounts, Joel Millman, a spokesman for the International Organisation for Migration, said that at least 57 people were feared dead after a rubber dinghy carrying between 120 and 140 people capsized on Thursday. He said eight bodies had been recovered. Another 40 people were feared dead from another dinghy also carrying about 120 people. |
| Millman said he did not immediately have further details about the vessels that capsized. | Millman said he did not immediately have further details about the vessels that capsized. |
| UNHCR said the Italian coastguard had carried out four rescue operations in the central Mediterranean on Thursday, including the rescue of about 175 people from another dinghy and a wooden boat. The coastguard took the rescued survivors to the western Sicilian town of Trapani. | UNHCR said the Italian coastguard had carried out four rescue operations in the central Mediterranean on Thursday, including the rescue of about 175 people from another dinghy and a wooden boat. The coastguard took the rescued survivors to the western Sicilian town of Trapani. |
| Among possible causes for the increase in deaths on the Mediterranean this year, the refugee agency cited a worsening quality of vessels used, as well as tactics used by smugglers to prevent detection by authorities – such as sending many boats out at the same time, which makes the work of rescuers harder. | Among possible causes for the increase in deaths on the Mediterranean this year, the refugee agency cited a worsening quality of vessels used, as well as tactics used by smugglers to prevent detection by authorities – such as sending many boats out at the same time, which makes the work of rescuers harder. |