Such desperation to get on crowded boats such as this.
UNHCR: Up to 500 migrants might have drowned in Mediterranean tragedy
CRISPIAN BALMER
Apr 20th 2016 1:29PM
ROME, April 20 (Reuters) - Up to 500 migrants might have drowned in the Mediterranean last week when human traffickers crammed people onto an already overcrowded ship, causing it to sink, the U.N. refugee agency said on Wednesday.
If confirmed, it would be the worst such tragedy in 12 months and bring the total number of migrant drownings in the southern Mediterranean to nearly 800 so far this year.
The UNHCR agency said 37 men, three women and a three-year-old child had survived the disaster after being rescued by a merchant ship. The group, which was brought to Greece on April 16, included Somalis, Ethiopians, Egyptians and one Sudanese.
The survivors recounted that they had been among 100 to 200 people who had set sail from Libya last week headed for Italy. After several hours at sea, the traffickers tried to move them onto a bigger ship that was already packed with migrants.
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UNHCR: Up to 500 migrants might have drowned in Mediterranean tragedy
UNHCR: Up to 500 migrants might have drowned in Mediterranean tragedy
CRISPIAN BALMER
Apr 20th 2016 1:29PM
ROME, April 20 (Reuters) - Up to 500 migrants might have drowned in the Mediterranean last week when human traffickers crammed people onto an already overcrowded ship, causing it to sink, the U.N. refugee agency said on Wednesday.
If confirmed, it would be the worst such tragedy in 12 months and bring the total number of migrant drownings in the southern Mediterranean to nearly 800 so far this year.
The UNHCR agency said 37 men, three women and a three-year-old child had survived the disaster after being rescued by a merchant ship. The group, which was brought to Greece on April 16, included Somalis, Ethiopians, Egyptians and one Sudanese.
The survivors recounted that they had been among 100 to 200 people who had set sail from Libya last week headed for Italy. After several hours at sea, the traffickers tried to move them onto a bigger ship that was already packed with migrants.
Continue reading at:
UNHCR: Up to 500 migrants might have drowned in Mediterranean tragedy
