Updated: 75 migrants die at sea - Malta-based Frontex plane sights bodies

T.gauci

Aug 22nd 2009, 19:27

@Karen Camilleri

And also what is in my brain....follow emotions and ignore reasons is out of my mind. anymore questions ?

T.gauci

Aug 22nd 2009, 18:08

@justin borg

I am not here to be lectured by anyone of your mindset. i help whenever i want and for one thing i only have 1 brother.

Karen Camilleri

Aug 22nd 2009, 17:53

@Christians, non-Christians
Often, those who are not Christians behave much much better than those who profess to be ardent followers of Christ. So what if you're not christian or buddhist Mr T Gauci? what counts is what is in your heart.

justin borg

Aug 22nd 2009, 17:41

T.Gauci
You don't have to be a Christian to want to help your brothers - you just have to be a human being.

Jennifer Soames

Aug 22nd 2009, 17:38

How come there are always three versions to stories such as this? the Maltese authorities' version, the Italian and the migrants'. I wonder which one is true.

teresa pace

Aug 22nd 2009, 16:54

@ T Gauci

Ah now I understand your reasoning

Joseph Tonna

Aug 22nd 2009, 16:51

Fl-opinjoni tieghi la mietu 75 persuna ohra regaw, ifisser li 'Frontex' mhix qeda taghmel xola sew u bir-reqqa ghax kieku kienu ikunu salvati b'xi mod ...

Frontex hija ' free phone taxi' ukoll ' barmil imtaqqab ' !

Progett li mhuwiex qed jilhaq l-iskopijiet totali tieghu, huwa mpossibli tista tghid biex tissalvagwardja bahar vast bhal dak...

T.gauci

Aug 22nd 2009, 16:39

@teresa pace

Just to let you know i am not a Christian so stop affiliating everyone with Christianity. i agree with Charles, if you're ashamed to be Maltese, leave.

teresa pace

Aug 22nd 2009, 15:29

@ Charles Sammut

I am ashamed to be maltese like Michael Grech said but has no intention of leaving.The hospitality of Malta eh? The kind hearted Malta...the Catholic and Christian malta...the way some or many people talked here they are anything but Christian...do you think that Christianity is just serving the obligation by going to mass on Sunday? That as well, but not just that, so much more....like helping these people...that's being a true Christian as Malta boasts so much that it is,

Charles Sammut

Aug 22nd 2009, 14:20

@ Michael Grech

Leave.

S Sammut

Aug 22nd 2009, 10:33

@David Portelli
It is very true that the main problem of migration is Libya. However with this event we have been now put in a very bad light with Italy and internationally of even being heartless people! Have a look at the Italian news! It is also true that we are a small country and we cannot sustain more migrants. I totally agree. Having said that, if is the way how it is described this incident occured, that the migrants were so in poor health that had not even the force to start the motor, it would be have more humane of the AFM, and better for all to give them more assistance on the sea, and make sure they are OK to continue their voyage! As now our reputation have been tarnished, even with the vatican!.....

Michael Grech

Aug 22nd 2009, 10:00

I'm ashamed to be Maltese, European, etc.

E Compagno

Aug 22nd 2009, 09:21

To those who think these people deserve to be allowed into Europe to have better lives.. I ask:

If I came from afghanistan, ran away into .. say Malta. And Malta accepted and allowed me to live there, work there or maybe just closed their eyes and pretended not to see me..

Then, I make my way to America.. oh you know.. because America is better than Malta. I claim that I am from Afganistan and play that sweet victim of war/persecution music. Do I have a right to stay or even enter?

These people left their countries (instead of stayed to fight the opressors and rectify things) and made their way to Libya. Libya accepted them. They lived in libya, some for years, before making their way to Europe.. because EUROPE is BETTER than Libya. Not because they cannot live in Libya. And def not because their native countries are war-torn. Only because they think they have better opportunity in Europe.

I'm sure the U.S. has better 'opportunity' than Malta.. so Mr. Obama should provide me and my family with shelter, food, pocket money and free healthcare so I can be better off than I am here.

Alex Borg

Aug 22nd 2009, 00:23

I invite everyone to see what ANSA reports: http://www.ansa.it/opencms/export/site/visualizza_fdg.html_1646210512.html
If this is true - and I very much fear it is - it is a shame for those who support a policy of fortress Malta and then beat their chests and call themselves Catholic. The Maltese patrol boat allegedly gave them fuel to proceed to Lampedusa, indicated the route to follow and then waited for daybreak before communicating to the Italian authorities that a boat with migrants had been spotted on its way to Italian territorial waters. I leave readers to conclude why. This is clearly an indication of a callousness and hypocrisy, unworthy of the reputed generosity and kindness (sic!) of the Maltese.

David Portelli

Aug 21st 2009, 16:39

The only way to stop these kind of tragedies is to stop them once and for all.The UN is critisizing Italy on sending them back but on the other side they are decreasing such incidents.If we're gonna open the red carpet for them to come here, such incidents are going to remain.Shame on the UN and the European Union for continously critisizing countries such as Malta when it comes to the Illegal Immigration problem after all we're doing for these Illegal people and what we're going through and they are not enforcing any hard regulations on Libya to stop with once and for all.

m azzopardi

Aug 21st 2009, 15:58

robert scullion....not when the minorities are sucking the taxpayers money like leeches and they always want more and more.

I agree in helping them to avoid any tragedies but I do not agree that Afica's problems should become Malta's and the EU's problems!!

Mary Borg

Aug 21st 2009, 15:49

@ Joe Xuereb

How I love sarcasm :-) but I wasn't talking about volunteers amongst immigrants here. I was replying Steve Pace when he mentioned that the charity begins at home and it is so much better if the church opens it's presently closed institutes...I was answering that question. maybe you should read Steve Pace's comment first to see to what I was referring?

Joe Xuereb

Aug 21st 2009, 15:29

@ Mary Borg. You are so right. Volunteering is the answer. And the Church has the money to train volunteers. I can see in my mind's eye a long queue of youngster (and not so young) clamouring to become volunteers to help asylum-seekers from Egypt, Tunisia and l-Ahrax tal-Mellieha.

Mary Borg

Aug 21st 2009, 14:19

Part 2

Maybe the Church can create a scheme where such volunteers will have money set aside for such volunteers for their education? Or the volunteering will be considered as work experience? This will surely help more youngsters to volunteer. About older people...well the same could apply to them...maybe a person wants further education and the time spent in volunteering will be accredited as such....the equivalent of time worked in exchange in education. Perhaps something on these lines?

Mary Borg

Aug 21st 2009, 14:16

@ Steve Pace Part 1

....and you will volunteer for the Church to do so? It is a well known fact that clergy and nuns are on the decline...very much so...the Church's manpower is on the decline. Thus the Church needs volunteers just like you and me to open such institutes.What I suggest is that the present generation will be educated in volunteering. Seeing my own children (grown up today) I have come to realise how selfish, self gratifying, young people can be.I am not saying that ALL of them are as thus...God forbid.But volunteering should be given a priority when educating children and young people....in that information about the benefits of volunteering should be given. Then the Church will have enough manpower to open such institutes. Please don't go to debating issue but the church has money and can pay......not anyone can work in such institutes...one has to be dedicated and not go just for the wage but go there wholeheartedly which is why volunteering is good.People volunteer because they want to be of true service for others.

Robert Scullion

Aug 21st 2009, 14:10

@m azzopardi
and in a democracy there is basic rules to protect minorities from the majority

shame that people can't respect even that piece of humanity

Steve Pace

Aug 21st 2009, 13:59

- Part 2 - @ M Azzopardi " It is amazing how many bloggers who call themselves Christian, preach to others to allow Malta to get flodded by illegal immigrants and then they do not open the doors of their homes for the illegal immigrants. " Totally on mark . Can i suggest to the Catholic Church to recall some of the clergy men and women working in remote countries so that they can help re-open the closed down church institutes and care for these people locally .After all charity begins at home , no ?

m azzopardi

Aug 21st 2009, 13:59

mark galea... I know they won,t cos nobody wants any problems at home. I can bet my head

what annoys me, is that they want the taxpayers to open their doors for them

Mark Galea

Aug 21st 2009, 13:52

@m azzopardi
and if some maltese start opening their doors for such people, what would you say? You will find fault anyway.

Steve Pace

Aug 21st 2009, 13:49

@Mary Borg. - Part 1 -
"This is what these people are doing. They are risking their life continuously to have a decent life" . A quick visit to Marsa , you will realize that these people have the latest mobile phones, very nice branded clothes and are in excellent health . Who ever wants a better life outside his country leaves legally or at least takes some form of identification . How sure are we that amongst these people, there are no criminals escaping justice from their country ? How can we know. Should we let them out of the open centres like some people are suggesting. As far as i know a refugee has the right to refugee status if he leaves from the country of origin ( I may stand to be corrected here ) . Most of these people are leaving from Libya.

Mary Borg

Aug 21st 2009, 13:33

@ Vincent Galea

The answer 'Why my God?' to many questions we ask is because of the injustices in the world brought by people upon people. We start injustice in our families and then emerge to the rest of the world. Thus it isn't God we should be asking these questions as God will be crying with us during those moments....we should redirect the question at us...why this injustice towards others? I read somewhere once, that during the atrocities against the jews, an onlooker asked God, 'where are you God while these people are being tortured,' A still voice in the heart of this person replied, 'I'm there splattered on the floor....being tortured' Since I have read this, I never looked at a suffering, a needy person the same.

Mary Borg

Aug 21st 2009, 12:43

@ Raymond Zammit

75 people died trying to find a better life for them and their family. Wouldn't you do anything to seek a better ( not a better, cos if the place is ok you wouldn't risk your life), a place where you can life a decent life for you and your family? This is what these people are doing. They are risking their life continuously to have a decent life.

m azzopardi

Aug 21st 2009, 12:03

It is amazing how many bloggers who call themselves Christian, preach to others to allow Malta to get flodded by illegal immigrants and then they do not open the doors of their homes for the illegal immigrants.

The Majority of Maltese do not want these ILLEGALS and in every democracy the majority has the final say. This is how goverments are elected, so please respect the majority. Thank you.

Cecil Herbert Jones - K.U.L. EWROPA

Aug 21st 2009, 11:51

Oh dear here we go again............ and again, and again, and again ad infinitum! I warned you that human migration is a phenomenon and no one can tell how big or small it is, and no one has ever succeeded to stop it. It has a life of its own! The EU knows this. When will my Maltese people wise up? We can make lemonade out a lemon and we can help the poor souls at the same time. No blood on our hands either!

m azzopardi

Aug 21st 2009, 11:48

May they all RIP. No one likes to hear that lives are lost , it is very sad.

However we must not forget that the best way to stop these tragedies is either by stopping the boats from leaving Libya or escorting the boats back to Libya and not by helping the boats to come into Malta.

Raymond Sammut

Aug 21st 2009, 11:33

@ Ruby Jenner

75 people drowned while violating Maritime Law. This is the truth of the matter, and must be given due recognition, else these drownings will continue as they had been doing for the past several years. People do not die from looking for a better life. People die when they break rules and regulations, and when the relevant authorities fail to enforce these rules and regulations.

Judith Schembri

Aug 21st 2009, 11:32

How about the NGOs opening up offices in Eritrea, Somalia and all the African countries with the 'exodus' problem?

Isn't it better to check whythese people leave their countries? Isn't it better to help them to better the conditions of their own country? This could save hundreds of people the trouble of crossing over to Europe.

I am against illegal immigrants in our country BUT I do not like the idea of seeing them drown and nobody helping them.

So the NGOs of all Europe could start by instead of lumping them on countries (so as to pretend they are doing something), they could start sacrificing themselves to find out what is making these people leave their country. If it is lack of money, food or whatever, maybe they could start educating these people to cope.

Or maybe these NGOs are aware that these people do not want anything but the easy way out to get money and get rich.

By the way, is it true that the immigrants sent to a certain place in Europe returned back to Malta because they did not want to stay under the rules and regulations that were imposed on them?

Joe Xuereb

Aug 21st 2009, 11:15

This is all very tragic. This is the price one pays for being human. They die at see and no lesson is learnt. They keep coming. A life of desperation in the country they came from? In Libya? And was a gun put to their head by people traffickers? I do not think so. People are desperate alright. But people are also notoriously foolish. The hazard that is dragging their children along with their foolishness does not occur to the foolish desperate. They pay the highest price. They have nobody to blame but themselves (keeping in mind that they paid a hefty sum to get on that dinghy). They wanted a better life in Europe no doubt. Doing what exactly? Greed comes to mind. A capital, deadly sin (one of seven). Stupidy and foolishness and irresponsibility and ignorance come at a price. It has always been so.

Vincent Galea

Aug 21st 2009, 11:13

Why, my God, why ?
Any person with an ounce of moral sensivity is outraged.
I really want to know why the weak and innocent suffer so much.
Why, my God, why ?
....But I think I'm far better off with the question than with the answer.

Ruby Jenner

Aug 21st 2009, 10:56

Well said Mary Borg, a true Christian in every sense. 75 human beings drowned looking for a better life.

Mark Galea

Aug 21st 2009, 10:01

While reducing immigration is a must, expelling the most racial among us should be a priority. (Suggest sending them to Libya since there is no danger for them there)

Mark Galea

Aug 21st 2009, 09:55

@Igalea
While reducing immigration is a must, expelling the most racial among us should be a priority. (Suggest sending them to Libya since there is no danger for them there)

Kenneth Galea

Aug 21st 2009, 09:49

@Igalea
You are absolutely right regarding your comments in particular the one to Charles Sammut. Taxpayers have had enough now of these illegals, that is the whole of the EU. Italy and Malta are the worst effected. Of course other vessels are not going to stop and give these illegals a helping hand whilst at sea. How dare the UNHCR oblige other vessels to intervene and take part in this illegality.

C.ZARB

Aug 21st 2009, 09:33

What is happening now is that the fishermen are getting sick of constantly ferrying immigrants (who abuse from the maritime law) to the nearest port.

Im not saying that what they are doing is right but who can blame them? Its not us who are risking our salaries and life in dangerous rescue missions (they are not trained in search and rescue missions) which entitle saving total strangers (whose number is often bigger than the crew of an average maltese boat) from a problem that they had placed themselves in, in the first place. These people are fishermen not some NGO who thrive from some EU/governmental financial help.

Both the maritime and the immigration law needs to be changed. Its ridiculous to expect both immigrants and locals to constantly risk their lives as much as its ridiculous to expect a small country like others to accept an unlimited numbers of immigrants. Immigrants should enter through a safe and perfectly legal route and once their country is deemed safe that same country should be forced (even through sanctions) to accept his people back. There is too much abuse surrounding illegal immigration that need to be tackled.

A. A. Hussain

Aug 21st 2009, 09:32

@ Mike Farrugia
It is true that Libya has a massive coastline, but, like in other countires, there are only a few points where boats, vessels and ships can leave the shore...and not to mention the strength and importance of security, in all its aspects, and the resources dedicated to it, in a country like Libya...whatever you call this tragic phenomenon of people leaving Libya to Europe...it is all part of the foreign policy and (political reaction) of the leadership of Libya, based on its own interpretation (controversial) of history, colonisation, role of Europeans in Africa...International economic setting...US policies in the Middle East.....etc. etc.....

lgalea

Aug 21st 2009, 09:21

S Saliba
They do have a choice. They could have stayed in one of the countries they had travelled through and they were in no danger in Libya.

Robert Cilia
Yes Cilia. it is possible to stop this illegal immigration if the government had guts and send them all back to Libya or to their own countries. According to the Refugee Appeals Board Report they have been living for up to TEN YEARS in Libya, so they were in NO danger there. And yes it is the NGO's who are to blame for doing their utmost to lump them on US taxpayers to like like leeches on OUR MONEY.

Charles Sammut
That only means that everybody is fed up with them and couldn't care less.

J Farrugia

Aug 21st 2009, 07:58

@ Mike Farrugia - with all the millions of money Libya ius receiving from Italy and other resources (oil) it should have a coast guard worthy of its name. But Libya is Libya and will never change unless President Ghaddafi is removed from office. It needs another revolution so that Libya will live up to its international obligations. This is not Malta Gozo crossing. It is Hell's crossing and these people are highly irresponsible in choosing this dangerous way to TRY and go to mainland Europe.

Ray Buttigieg

Aug 21st 2009, 07:33

sad news indeed....lose of life is always regretted. However this news should be communicated to would be illegal immigrants in order to discourage these crazy adventurers crossing the mediterranean. The mediterranean sea is nature's way to divide the new peoples, the Africans and the Europeans. Those who do not respect this have only themselves to blame after such tragedies.

Mary Borg

Aug 21st 2009, 07:04

Look what happened with all the negative publicity immigrants are given! THEY WERE IGNORED. Can you believe this statement...they were refused help. God forgive those people who refused them help. What if it was them or a family member on the boat instead of an unknown immigrant.These people are our neighbours....and then we call ourselves christians.We feel all holy by ministering the obligations such as hearing mass and then when these people are in the picture we ignore them, we call them names,we hate them.Just a word to us who treat these people like this...Jesus is found in mass but the suffering Jesus is found in these people.The Christ on the Calvary is found in these people.So stop all the negative publicity they are being given and let us help them until the world governments wake up from their sleep and decide to improve the conditions of their homeland.May God have mercy on these brothers and sisters who have died such a horrible death.May God have mercy on us who being so righteous refuse them help.May God heal those immigrants who passed through the trauma of seeing their friends die such a horrible death

Raymond Sammut

Aug 21st 2009, 07:03

The Frontex aircraft could not "establish if [the seven bodies] had been on the dinghy." This is totally incredible. This EU surveillance aircraft, according to the survivors, had 20 days to establish that the illegal dinghy was out at sea; let alone report it so that it could be handed over to the Libyan authorities in accordance with Maritime Law.

They are required to explain as to why this illegal dinghy with 75 aliens out at sea for 20 days was not located by their aircraft until yesterday. The EU authorities are also required to explain why this illegal dinghy was not reported to the Libyan authorities so that it could be apprehended and returned to Libya instead of being allowed to proceed further into the open sea in violation of SOLAS regulations.

The Libyan authorities have clearly demonstrated that they are prepared to cooperate with Italy. These drownings, therefore, cannot continue without anyone in the EU administration being held accountable. The EU authorities clearly refuse to conduct a thorough investigation, drownings continue in the meantime, and culpability is squarely on the EU administration.

Chris Farrugia

Aug 21st 2009, 04:26

truth is... if you create a heaven for them somewhere else other than thier country, they are ready to risk their lives to achieve that. All NGOs and other crusaders out there should ask themselves-- is it really worth the risk to try and improve these people's lives at the expense of 100s of deaths at sea?

Denis Catania

Aug 21st 2009, 02:24

@Joe Vella: It does matter to me, if there was any children on this dinghy and if any of those children died. I consider them as murder victims. They were murdered by the person who forced them on this dinghy. Remember they forced these kids on an unsafe dinghy from a SAFE place like Libya. This is why it matters to me Mr.Vella.

@Andrew Camilleri: Do you think anyone who deals with traffickers are treated well? They didn't need to look for the services of human traffickers while in safe Libya and pay them big money. They should have kept making money in Libya and saving it. So when they do get to the promised land, they will have a better chance. As far as most people and EU countries are concerned. One day they will need immigrants in Europe to make up for the aging population. They should go to an EU member Embassy or matter of fact a few EU members Embassies and file to go to Europe legally. Although the illegals are ruining that for the ones who want to do it legally.

@S.Saliba: They left from a safe place.

T.Camilleri

Aug 21st 2009, 00:19

I haven't heard a single condemnation of Libya and the Libyan authorities from any NGO - not so towards Malta and the Maltese authorirties. It's really a case of weak with the strong and strong with the weak.

And then, does anyone really believe that Libya is not aware of the hundreds of illegal immigrants leaving its shores with the excuse that the shoreline is so long. Who do they think they're kidding. Try and get into Libya and see whether you're immediately nicked by the Libyan military. And again, these illegal immigrants will not just wake up one morning and decide to walk to the shore and leave for Lampedusa, Malta or Italy. It takes much more than that with organising, time to prepare, arranging for a boat to take them in and so on and so forth. Frankly, Libya will only show goodwill if it accepts an "emigration" centre run by some NGO on its own territory - probably against payment!!!!!!! of a couple of million dollars

G.Debono

Aug 20th 2009, 23:45

What the Italians are saying on RAI1 ( 23:30 news ) 20th Aug - TG1

The newscaster said that some were saved a largo di Malta, by the Guardia di Finanza!? Then the lady talking during the pictures, says a largo di Lampedusa.
A few moments later, she says that the Maltese authorities reported the boat to the Italian Authorities when the boat was out of Malta's zone.

They're at it again - do their best to smudge Malta's name internationally. It's up to Malta to throw the shit back into their faces.

Kenneth Galea

Aug 20th 2009, 23:13

Where are Maroni and Berlusconi? In June there were no landings of illegals in Malta, in July we started getting landings and August the numbers are increasing again. Is the Italian government on holiday? Maybe yes and the joint patrols with Libya are becoming more lax?
Of course other vessels are not going to give these illegals a helping hand. This is a very dangerous and serious game. The illegals are breaking the law leaving a safe country like Libya.

Ruby Jenner

Aug 20th 2009, 22:59

What a sad story and to read that they were ignored by passing vessels is shameful. I think P. James it doesn't make sense to you and I because we have never been in the situation that these people find themselves in. Also there are those who are making mega bucks in trafficking these poor souls, these criminals need to be caught and punished. How many more must die before Governments act.

A. Borg

Aug 20th 2009, 22:49

Li qed jigri issa li dawn il-povri mhux se jsibu ghajnuna mill-ebda bicca tal-bahar ghax min issalvhom jibza li jispicca bejn xi konflitt ta xi zewg pajjizi bhal ma gara bejn Malta u l-Italja u jispicca b'dawn l-immigranti illegali fuq il-qovra tal-bahar tieghu ghak diversi jiem minghajr kumpens.

Andrew Camilleri

Aug 20th 2009, 20:54

@Denis Catania: Watch the documentary 'Come un uomo sulla terra'. It provides many useful insights into things one doesn't here in the media about the abuse of these people by traffickers.

Sandro Pace

Aug 20th 2009, 20:46

C. Galea

Libya does not have to control its shoreline. An agreement to return immigrants there as soon as intercepted is just enough. We dont have one. This leaves our island exposed.

While news like in this article is saddening, the fact that our country, first and foremost, is at the mercy of traffickers is also of great concern.

Our island cannot sustain or now take all immigration that was bound to Italy. It will eventually destabilise our country. The Italians already understood this.

S Saliba

Aug 20th 2009, 20:03

May they RIP..unfortunately similar tragedies will happen again in the future. These people have no choice but risk their lives in search of a better future which their countries (due to poverty, civil wars, terrorism and dictatorial regimes) cannot provide.

C.ZARB

Aug 20th 2009, 19:09

In an ideal world there should be a center in Northern Libya where immigrants can go and apply for asylum there. These immigrants will live in temporary open centers until their application is processed. Then, once everything is set, the UN would be responsible to send the immigrants in a safe country (EU and beyond) taking in consideration, the resources and the space that that country has to be able to integrate these immigrants. On the other hand boat people would be rempatriated since they are illegally bypassing the rule.

Unfortunately our non racist European brothers are more happy with immigrants dying at sea or be locked in countries which can offer them little future (like malta) then implementing this system which both the Italian and Maltese government agree on.

Joe Vella

Aug 20th 2009, 19:01

@ Dennis Catania

Does it really matters to you if there was any children or not?

Denis Catania

Aug 20th 2009, 18:51

My last comment was meant to address Robert Cilia not Robert Calluis.

Denis Catania

Aug 20th 2009, 18:50

@Robert Calluis: Can you tell us how harsh is Libya? Can you tell us how desperate the people living in Libya are? Why leave such a safe place? Because groups like the NGO's and do-gooders give them false hope, that's why. Charles Sammut is 100% right.

Robert Cilia

Aug 20th 2009, 18:28

I cannot understand why Charles Sammut is blaming NGO's (local NGO's?) for the deaths of these people. Its not NGO's which are encouraging these dangerous crossings but the wish to escape from harsh and at times desperate economic/political realities. It will be impossible to stop such a flow. Remember the Berlin wall? Did it stop people from trying to cross over (and also dying in the process) into the then Federal Republic of Germany?

m azzopardi

Aug 20th 2009, 18:08

I totally agree with Raymond Sammut. . .

P James

Aug 20th 2009, 17:57

This is very sad news but common sense should tell these people not to cross the Mediterranean in a dinghy.

These people are apparently fleeing for a better life and then they cross the Mediterranean on a deathbed dingy. It does not make any sense to me.

Raymond Sammut

Aug 20th 2009, 17:51

@ Charles Sammut

The exasperation is with the EC Vice-President Jacques Barrot -- who is responsible for "Justice", "Freedom" and "Security" of all things -- for listening to UNHCR and condemning Italy when Italy had just started to do the right thing. Mr Barrot is consequently and inevitably obliged to ask the UNHCR head as to what he has to do now with all these drownings. Mr Barrot, like everyone else, needs to accept responsibility for his own actions.

Denis Catania

Aug 20th 2009, 17:49

@Charles Sammut: Well said.
Where there any children on this rubber dinghy ????

Charles Sammut

Aug 20th 2009, 17:24

According to rainews24, this dinghy met several other vessels while it was adrift, but nobody stopped except one, and that was just to give them some drinking water.

While it is illegal not to help those in distress, this episode goes to show the exasperation of just about everybody with these illegal immigrants.

http://www.rainews24.it/it/news.php?newsid=128961

Mike Farrugia

Aug 20th 2009, 17:11

@ C. Galea
Libya has a shoreline much bigger than our Ghadira Bay. Thousands of miles to be more precise. It is virtually impossible to police the entire shore and sahara border. It is almost impossible to police our own shoreline let alone theirs'.

Charles Sammut

Aug 20th 2009, 17:09

The moral responsibility for these lost lives, lies with those people and NGOs that by their misguided actions, encourage these dangerous crossings.

J.Spiteri

Aug 20th 2009, 17:00

@ C Galea. Do you believe that the Libyan authorities care the least for lives lost while attempting to cross to Europe on a dinghy? Do you really believe that they lack the means to prevent migrants from leaving Libyan shores?

C.Galea

Aug 20th 2009, 16:36

This is alas sad news because certainly death is an ugly thing.

But I can't help noticing how come Libya seems to have no control? Why did they let these people leave for a perilous journey on a rubber dinghy? Why didn't they take care of and protect these humans?