Italy again calls for EU help after more migrant deaths

Italy on Tuesday renewed its appeal to the EU for help in managing a relentless wave of migrant arrivals, after around 40 migrants died when their inflatable boat sank off the coast. Survivors of the tragedy reported 137 people were on the vessel when it either deflated or exploded shortly before a spate of rescue operations this weekend that saw the Italian navy and coastguard save almost 6,000 people on the sea. More than 1,750 migrants have perished in the waters between Libya and Italy since the start of this year. The International Organization for Migration reported last month that the toll represented a 30-fold increase over 2014.

Some (of the survivors from the inflatable boat) said ‘very many’ died, others said 'around 40.’

Giovanna di Benedetto of Save the Children told AFP on Tuesday

Despite Italy shouldering so much of the rescue effort, and amid calls for Europe to adopt Australia’s policy of turning back migrant boats, an Italian navy chief on Tuesday said he would never turn away a boat in need of help. Admiral Donato Marzano, who will host a seminar of navy supremos from 26 European countries in Naples on Friday, suggested it would not be feasible, morally or practically, to start escorting barely seaworthy migrant boats back to conflict-wracked Libya. Aid agencies say a large number of those attempting the Mediterranean crossing have legitimate claims to asylum in Europe as they are fleeing conflict or repression in places including Syria and Eritrea.

World migrant boat