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Migrants suffocated in overcrowded hold of boat, reports say Migrants suffocated in overcrowded hold of boat, reports say
(about 1 hour later)
At least 40 migrants have died in the hold of a boat in the Mediterranean from suspected suffocation, according to reports. At least 40 migrants have died of suspected suffocation in the hold of a boat in the Mediterranean , according to reports.
The Italian Navy confirmed the deaths but gave no other details. It said the naval vessel Cigala Fulgosi was leading the rescue mission on Saturday and had saved some 320 people. The Italian navy confirmed the deaths, but gave no other details. It said the naval vessel Cigala Fulgosi was leading the rescue mission on Saturday and had saved around 320 people.
Italian news agency Ansa reported that the migrants were thought to have suffocated in the boat, which was 21 miles (33km) off the coast of Libya. The Italian news agency Ansa reported that the migrants were thought to have suffocated in the boat, which was 21 miles (33km) off the coast of Libya.
Related: Greece sends cruise ship to ease Kos migrant crisisRelated: Greece sends cruise ship to ease Kos migrant crisis
The Navy said because the rescue was still underway it could not give exact numbers of dead and rescued. The navy said that because the rescue was still underway it could not give exact numbers of dead and rescued.
“They are still counting the victims,” interior minister Angelino Alfano said. “They are still counting the victims,” Italy’s interior minister, Angelino Alfano, said.
RaiNews24 television, reporting from the Navy rescue coordination centre in Rome, said the dead migrants were found in the hold of the overcrowded boat. RaiNews24 television, reporting from the navy rescue coordination centre in Rome, said the dead migrants were found in the hold of the overcrowded boat.
At least 2,100 migrants have died at sea this year trying to make the crossing from the shores of Libya, where human traffickers are based, to Italy in a bid to flee war, persecution and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. At least 2,100 migrants have died at sea this year trying to make the crossing from the shores of Libya, where human traffickers are based, to Europe in a bid to flee war, persecution and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Survivors of the hazardous crossing often tell of how traffickers lock migrants in the hold - most black Africans - who pay less for the voyage. They not only risk drowning if the rickety boats capsize, but many also die after being overcome with diesel fumes. Survivors of the hazardous crossing often tell of traffickers locking migrants who pay less for the voyage in the hold. They not only risk drowning if the rickety boats capsize, but many also die after being overcome by diesel fumes.
The International Organisation for Migration said that Italy has rescued 93,540 people so far this year, while Greece has reported 134,988 arrivals from Turkey.The International Organisation for Migration said that Italy has rescued 93,540 people so far this year, while Greece has reported 134,988 arrivals from Turkey.
Along with migrants landing in Spain and Malta, 237,000 people have crossed the Mediterranean this year, the agency said, compared with 219,000 for all of 2014. Along with migrants landing in Spain and Malta, 237,000 people have crossed the Mediterranean this year, the agency said, compared with 219,000 in the whole of 2014.
The EU said on Friday that Europe was facing the worst refugee crisis since the second world war. The EU said on Friday that Europe was facing it worst refugee crisis since the second world war.