Off the Libyan coast … A boat accident on the Mediterranean Sea could cause more than 115 deaths

Off the Libyan coast, more than 115 people dead fears

People who go from Libya to Europe: during a shipwreck, an organization predicts more than 115 dead.

While the EU is fighting for the distribution of refugees, the next tragedy unfolds in the Mediterranean: 250 migrants begin the dangerous pbadage – nearly half of them have disappeared as a result of a serious accident.

After a heavy boat accident off the coast of Libya, 115 migrants are missing. A spokesman for the Libyan coastguard said Thursday, fueling fears about the deaths of dozens of people crossing the Mediterranean Sea. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the incident reportedly resulted in many more casualties. It would be the worst boat accident in the Mediterranean this year.

Coastguards said they saved 134 migrants from various African and Arab countries with some fishermen. In addition, a body had been recovered in the water. A total of 250 people were on board the wooden boat, which began in the coastal town of Al-Chums, said Marine spokesman Ajub Kbadim of the German news agency. According to the IOM, it was not clear if the migrants were traveling on one or two boats. According to the organization, up to 300 people could have been in distress. In the late evening, IOM announced that 87 migrants had been returned to the Libyan coast. 84 of them were taken to the Tadzhura Detention Center.

"The heaviest tragedy in the Mediterranean"
Filippo Grandi, head of the UN refugee agency, spoke on Twitter about the "greatest tragedy of the Mediterranean" of the current year. He called for the resumption of rescue operations at sea, the cessation of the internment of refugees and migrants in Libya and the establishment of new, safer routes out of the country. "Otherwise, it is too late for many other desperate people," wrote Grandi.

The United Nations was "very worried" about the continuing dangers and lack of security for those on the high seas. All countries in the region will have to ensure that those who put their lives at risk are protected, said a door. Secretary-General of the UN Antonio Guterres.

The boss of Unicef, Henrietta Fore, described the news of the disaster as "terrible". She called for a resumption of life in the Mediterranean and the internment of refugees and migrants in Libya. "Given the recurring cases of abuse, violence and death, no child should be housed in these centers," Fore said. "If we do not do anything urgent, we will always see children losing their lives at these crossings," said Fore.

Currently, no private rescue ship in the Mediterranean is en route. However, the German Sea-Eye organization announced Thursday that "Alan Kurdi" was heading for the rescue zone off the Libyan coast. She should arrive there Tuesday, announced the organization of Regensburg. Within the European Union, there is a dispute over the distribution of migrants rescued in the Mediterranean. According to the army, 76 migrants arrived in Malta after being saved south of the island republic.

At the same time, the Italian Chamber of Deputies has approved a bill authorizing the country's maritime rescuers to be fined up to a million euros if they illegally drive their vessels in Italian territorial waters. The new law will also allow the authorities to confiscate the vessel in case of violation of an import ban. This will further increase pressure on rescue organizations rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean.

The Mediterranean is one of the most dangerous escape routes for people wishing to come to Europe. In trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea, more than 680 people lost their lives this year, according to IOM data. More than 3,700 were taken and sent to internment camps in Libya. The North African state is a transit country for thousands of migrants.

Francis Tawiah (Duisburg – Germany)