2ND TIME IN A WEEK: Another Migrant Boat Capsizes off Italy, Rescue in Process
A boat carrying more than 200 migrants has capsized off the Italian island of Lampedusa on October 11, 2013, Friday. Italian officials also confirm that the rescue operation is currently in process.
Italian and Maltese ships, supported by helicopters, moved out to the tragedy scene and were searching in darkness.
At least 120 people are said to have been saved, but dozens of bodies have been reportedly spotted in the water.
Italy's
coast guard and Maltese officials said the boat capsized about 120 km
off Lampedusa. The vessel was initially spotted by the Maltese air force
which then requested Italy's help.
The Maltese authorities are co-ordinating the operation in the country's territorial waters.
27
people officially confirmed dead at the moment, while the first reports
in Italian media said that the death toll reached 50 people. Many women
and children are expected to be among the victims.
However, official confirmation on the number of the deceased as well as their nationalites is awaited.
Reports
say people on board had crowded to one side of the vessel as they tried
to get the attention of a
passing aircraft, causing it to capsize.
The BBC's reporter Matthew Price in Lampedusa says that darkness is now hampering the operation.
Key destination
Lampedusa, which lies 290 km off the coast of Africa, is a key destination for migrant vessels bound for Europe.
Last Thursday, at least 319 people, mostly Somalis and Eritreans, died when their boat sank near the island. Only 155 people were rescued of more than 500 believed to have been on board.
Earlier
on Friday at least 500 more migrants travelling in separate boats were
rescued in coastguard operations in the same region.
Also Friday, a separate boat accident off the Egyptian port of Alexandria claimed the lives of at least 12 migrants.
Egyptian
security officials said 116 people, mostly Palestinians and Syrians,
were pulled from the water and taken to a police station. READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/49533.html
