25 die on migrants' boat off Lampedusa
Italian coast guards have found 25 dead bodies in the hold of a crammed migrants' boat which arrived off Lampedusa this morning.
The boat was carrying 271 people and the 25 - all men - are believed to have died of asphyxiation due to crowded conditions.
The corpses were found while the migrants were being moved from their boat onto a coast guard vessel. They are now in a morgue on the island.
The 271 migrants found alive included 36 women and 21 children. Coast guard officials had earlier said that the number of refugees was 268.
Hundreds have drowned in a series of accidents usually in stormy seas. The vessels used for crossings from Libya are often rickety fishing boats.
The journey from North Africa takes around two days.
Nato directed Spanish frigate to sail away from Malta
Meanwhile, the Spanish Defence Ministry in a statement yesterday confirmed that it was Nato which directed its frigate Almirante Juan de Borbón to take 114 migrants to Tunisia after having rescued them and sailed for Malta.
Malta had refused entry to the frigate, insisting that Tunisia and Lampedusa were closer to the site of the rescue.
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Steve Borg - Marsascala
Aug 1st 2011, 14:44
The Italian newspapers are saying that the dead were found in the bottom of the vessel, packed like sardines. I agree that the office of European Union Commissioner Malmstrom is not doing enough in ensuring that the North African coast does not become something like a departure terminal towards Europe. Mass migration to Europe is certainly not a solution to anyone.
Nor do I believe that we are personally responsible for the thousands of 'sans papieres' that knock on Europe's borders year after year. Witness the reaction of the immigrant riots today in Bari, that have led to the closure of the motorway A16, since they claim to be fed up waiting for the granting of a refugee status.
However, let us spare a thought and a prayer for those 25 who have lost their lives - possibly due to the noxious fumes emanating from the inboard engines - and the countless hundreds, whose deaths remain unknown or unreported on our Mediterranean sea.
We need to stop looking at statistics but start to look at every individual as a human being, who was aspiring for a better life. An aspiritation that has now been spent by death.
I am not justifying their illegal entry to Europe, nor their right of access to our material resources. But we should ponder and ask ourselves if we would be ready to risk our lives in crossing an open sea on a rickety boat, when the chances of arriving on European territory cannot be assured.
That may be the extent of the level of desperation that these African migrants are sunken in.
Joseph J. Borg
Aug 1st 2011, 20:25
Those immigrants in Bari are protesting because their exploitative working conditions amount to near slavery not becuase they are tired of waiting for refugee status, as you so ingeniously put it.
Steve Borg - Marsascala
Aug 1st 2011, 21:09
Joseph Borg wrote: "Those immigrants in Bari are protesting because their exploitative working conditions amount to near slavery not becuase they are tired of waiting for refugee status, as you so ingeniously put it."
You are probably writing without even taking time to read about this riot. I am quoting Gabriella de Matteis from national daily La Reppublica who described it as:
"Violenta protesta degli ospiti del Cara, il centro di accoglienza, contro i ritardi nel riconoscimento dello status di rifugiati. Fiamme nella struttura, traffico interrotto sulla statale 16. Lanci di pietre e cariche della polizia, centinaia di agenti schierati. La cronaca di Gabriella De Matteis (Repubblica)"
Need I translate this from Italian for you? I don't think so. But read slowly "contro i ritardi nel riconoscimento dello status di rifugiati". See, I was right.
That is the problem with people like you. One gives a frank opinion and shows concern about the plight of the illegal immigrants and out come the guns pointed at European quarters. This is the videolink if you are still doubting:
http://tv.repubblica.it/dossier/emergenza-lampedusa-2010/immigrati-la-rivolta-a-bari/73651/71942?video&ref=search
Perhaps this footage might make you think twice before you accuse me of ingenuinity.
Mr Tony Camilleri
Aug 2nd 2011, 16:02
Steve Borg - Marsascala you are 100% correct.
Mr Tony Camilleri
Aug 2nd 2011, 16:03
Joseph J. Borg
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14369249
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Ms Louise Vella
Aug 1st 2011, 09:47
These deaths would have been avoided if the Swede Cecilia Malmstrom focussed her attention about how to use EU money to strengthen Frontex and to turn it into a strong coastguard to stop the ships full of illegal immigrants.
Joe Fenech
Aug 1st 2011, 11:34
Exact. These tragedies stem from sheer ignorance, naivety, and from the people who are making millions out of these things.
Mr Tony Camilleri
Aug 1st 2011, 13:39
And yet they find the JRS and the different apologist NGO's with the same people wearing different hats according to which NGO they are representing at any particular time defending them and encouraging them to come illegally to Malta to be lumped by us.