Questions over fate of 160 migrants

Questions have been raised over the fate of a boat with 160 on board which left Libya last Sunday amid growing fears that the Mediterranean is turning into a graveyard for migrants fleeing the North African conflict.

The UN Refugee Agency is looking into the possibility that the migrants were the same group of 171 people who landed in Malta yesterday.

But UNHCR Malta representative Jon Hoisaeter told The Sunday Times: “So far we have no information to confirm it is the same vessel.”

The alarm was apparently triggered by a relative of one of those on board from Rome who informed the UNHCR.

But concerns are mounting since the phone satellite number given by the relative in question so far does not match the phone number of those who landed in Malta on Friday, according to a UNHCR spokesman.

It is another worrying statistic for the UNHCR, which has received reports about “several” missing boats in recent weeks, as thousands of sub Saharan Africans as well as Libyans attempt to escape the violent conflict into Europe.

Mr Hoisaeter said there was still no trace of a boat containing 300 people which left Libya on March 22, as well as 70 who left North Africa on March 25. Around 200 migrants drowned when a boat capsized off Lampedusa last Wednesday.

“We are deeply saddened by the recent tragedies in the Mediterranean. Hundreds of people have lost their lives; whole families have perished under the most dramatic circumstances,” Mr Hoisaeter said.

People are fleeing from war and violence in Libya and with no humanitarian corridor overland some have no option but to take to the sea on vessels that can be considered floating death traps, he said.

“This is not a matter of status, migration policies or reception capacities. For some it is a matter of life and death and it is happening right now at the doorstep of Europe.

“It is a collective responsibility to ensure the rescue of people in distress at sea. We have seen examples, also recently, of crucial interventions by coast guard and fishing vessels braving stormy weather to save lives. With Libya in turmoil one can predict that more people will need our help.”

Mr Hoisaeter appealed for a joint and proactive response – states have a primary responsibility but the EU and Nato also have important roles to play.

“UNHCR and other organisations have to redouble efforts to prevent new tragedies. One life lost at sea is one too many.”

His appeal comes after Gozo Bishop Mario Grech expressed shock at the indifference and silence of Maltese who were “trying to avoid the truth” of immigrant tragedies.

Many of those posting online messages were quick to lambast Italy for pointing accusing fingers at Malta in the wake of the Lampedusa tragedy last Thursday, but few actually highlighted the plight of the migrants themselves.

Malta coordinates search and rescue operations over a large stretch of sea from Tunisia in the west to Crete in the east.

According to international law, the country responsible for the SAR is not obliged to carry out all rescue operations within the zone. However, Malta is responsible for coordinating rescue efforts if a boat is in distress by calling the nearest naval assets to the scene.