23 dead as dinghy sinks in Mediterranean: EU naval force
It said a total of 263 people had been rescued, including 146 "migrants in distress" saved by a Spanish ship as part of the European Union's anti-trafficking force.
Rome, November 4: The EU's anti-migrant task force said the bodies of 23 people were recovered from the Mediterranean after the dinghy they were travelling in sank.
EU Navfor Med said 64 others were rescued after their inflatable vessel began taking on water.
"A tough day in the Central Mediterranean Sea where, once again, the different actors at sea and over the air, no matter the uniforms, aims and capabilities, have demonstrated their commitment in safeguarding human life at sea," the force said on its Facebook page.
It said a total of 263 people had been rescued, including 146 "migrants in distress" saved by a Spanish ship as part of the European Union's anti-trafficking force.
At least 7 people reported dead yesterday. #EU and #Libya "push-back factor" clearly not stopping deaths in #Med https://t.co/vvdA3dCxPD pic.twitter.com/tnDZCNxMHF
— MSF Sea (@MSF_Sea) November 2, 2017
According to Italy's interior ministry, more than 111,000 people have reached the country by sea in the first 10 months of 2017, a 30 percent decrease from the previous year.
The International Migration Organization says 150,000 have arrived in Europe via the Mediterranean and 2,826 people have died while attempting the crossing.
UPDATE: 588 people safely onboard #Aquarius, unknown number missing presumed drowned in #Mediterranean after series of rescues yesterday. pic.twitter.com/0XEKkC7vt6
— MSF Sea (@MSF_Sea) November 2, 2017
PTI