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Scores of migrants perish at sea | Scores of migrants perish at sea |
(about 2 hours later) | |
About 75 illegal immigrants from Africa have died while travelling on a crowded rubber dinghy between Libya and Italy. | About 75 illegal immigrants from Africa have died while travelling on a crowded rubber dinghy between Libya and Italy. |
It is thought many succumbed to hunger or thirst, with reports some may have drowned after their boat lost power. | It is thought many succumbed to hunger or thirst, with reports some may have drowned after their boat lost power. |
It is the latest loss of life in a series of maritime incidents in the region involving people smugglers. | It is the latest loss of life in a series of maritime incidents in the region involving people smugglers. |
Earlier this year, Italy and Libya began joint naval patrols in the Mediterranean to try to prevent the passage of illegal migrants. | Earlier this year, Italy and Libya began joint naval patrols in the Mediterranean to try to prevent the passage of illegal migrants. |
Italian coastguards picked up five survivors from the 12ft vessel, found drifting in Italian waters between Malta and the tiny island of Lampedusa. | Italian coastguards picked up five survivors from the 12ft vessel, found drifting in Italian waters between Malta and the tiny island of Lampedusa. |
The survivors - a woman, a child and three Eritrean men - told rescuers that they had set out from the Libyan coast three weeks ago but had run out of food, water and fuel. | The survivors - a woman, a child and three Eritrean men - told rescuers that they had set out from the Libyan coast three weeks ago but had run out of food, water and fuel. |
The survivors said many died after drinking sea water and their bodies were thrown overboard. | The survivors said many died after drinking sea water and their bodies were thrown overboard. |
Italian police are unable to verify the story immediately but give credence to the account of the survivors, two of whom are in a serious condition in hospital. | Italian police are unable to verify the story immediately but give credence to the account of the survivors, two of whom are in a serious condition in hospital. |
Many African migrants from across the continent gather in Libya to make the crossing to Europe, with hundreds of arriving every month on the island of Lampedusa. | Many African migrants from across the continent gather in Libya to make the crossing to Europe, with hundreds of arriving every month on the island of Lampedusa. |
From there they are taken by officials to detention centres on the Italian mainland, for identification and eventual expulsion. | From there they are taken by officials to detention centres on the Italian mainland, for identification and eventual expulsion. |
Italy has recently introduced new legislation making it a crime to enter the country illegally, punishable by imprisonment and fines. | Italy has recently introduced new legislation making it a crime to enter the country illegally, punishable by imprisonment and fines. |
However, this doesn't appear to have created any great deterrent. | However, this doesn't appear to have created any great deterrent. |
Hundreds of thousands still wait on the shores of north Africa for the chance to cross over to Europe, despite the serious risk to their lives. | Hundreds of thousands still wait on the shores of north Africa for the chance to cross over to Europe, despite the serious risk to their lives. |