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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Migrants feared dead off coast of Italian island | Migrants feared dead off coast of Italian island |
| (30 days later) | |
| Several dozen migrants are feared to have drowned after their boat apparently sank off a small, uninhabited Italian island in the Mediterranean. A coastguard spokesman said 54 people, all Tunisians, had been rescued and were in good health. | Several dozen migrants are feared to have drowned after their boat apparently sank off a small, uninhabited Italian island in the Mediterranean. A coastguard spokesman said 54 people, all Tunisians, had been rescued and were in good health. |
| According to the satellite phone call that alerted the Italian authorities to their plight on Thursday, the survivors had arrived in Italian waters on a boat carrying about 100 people. Some survivors were quoted by Italian media as putting the figure as high as 150. The first body of a victim was found on Friday morning. | According to the satellite phone call that alerted the Italian authorities to their plight on Thursday, the survivors had arrived in Italian waters on a boat carrying about 100 people. Some survivors were quoted by Italian media as putting the figure as high as 150. The first body of a victim was found on Friday morning. |
| Three Nato ships were taking part in the rescue operation, along with vessels and aircraft of the Italian coastguard and revenue guard. About 40 migrants were reported to have been pulled from the water during the night; the rest were found at first light. | Three Nato ships were taking part in the rescue operation, along with vessels and aircraft of the Italian coastguard and revenue guard. About 40 migrants were reported to have been pulled from the water during the night; the rest were found at first light. |
| The distress call was made to the harbourmaster's office in Palermo, Sicily, late on Thursday afternoon, but it took rescuers until 2.30am to locate the first survivors. They were found on, or in the waters around, Lampione, a rocky islet, 700m long near the island of Lampedusa. | The distress call was made to the harbourmaster's office in Palermo, Sicily, late on Thursday afternoon, but it took rescuers until 2.30am to locate the first survivors. They were found on, or in the waters around, Lampione, a rocky islet, 700m long near the island of Lampedusa. |
| Since its lighthouse was abandoned, Lampione's main role has been to serve as a refuge for wildlife. Sharks abound in the surrounding waters. | Since its lighthouse was abandoned, Lampione's main role has been to serve as a refuge for wildlife. Sharks abound in the surrounding waters. |
| Survivors said they had left Tunisia on an old, 10-metre wooden fishing boat that got into difficulties and then sank. But rescuers were unable to find any sign of a vessel. | Survivors said they had left Tunisia on an old, 10-metre wooden fishing boat that got into difficulties and then sank. But rescuers were unable to find any sign of a vessel. |
| There was speculation that the migrants may have been abandoned to their fate by traffickers. Humanitarian organisations have estimated that about 1,500 people died in the Mediterranean last year while trying to reach Europe. | There was speculation that the migrants may have been abandoned to their fate by traffickers. Humanitarian organisations have estimated that about 1,500 people died in the Mediterranean last year while trying to reach Europe. |
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