'Shipwreck Was Simple Murder, Migrants Recall' diff viewer (0/1)

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~~Shipwreck Survivors Recount a Deadly Journey From Middle East to Europe~~	Shipwreck Was Simple Murder, Migrants Recall
2014-10-20 22:40:20 UTC	2014-10-21 02:40:44 UTC (about 4 hours later)
VALLETTA, Malta — On the last morning, only four of the survivors remained. Two sets of Palestinian brothers, exhausted and adrift in the Mediterranean beneath a blazing white sun. The Awadallah brothers were delirious. Mohammed saw vampires rising from the waves. Ibrahim kept removing his life jacket, imagining himself at home in Gaza, changing his clothes.	VALLETTA, Malta — On the last morning, only four of the survivors remained. Two sets of Palestinian brothers, exhausted and adrift in the Mediterranean beneath a blazing white sun. The Awadallah brothers were delirious. Mohammed saw vampires rising from the waves. Ibrahim kept removing his life jacket, imagining himself at home in Gaza, changing his clothes.
Nearby, Mamoun Doghmosh, 27, propped up his younger brother, Amin, 24, who was weak and hallucinating. Nearly four days had passed since their overcrowded migrant boat had capsized on Sept. 9, after being rammed by another vessel following an apparent quarrel between smugglers.	Nearby, Mamoun Doghmosh, 27, propped up his younger brother, Amin, 24, who was weak and hallucinating. Nearly four days had passed since their overcrowded migrant boat had capsized on Sept. 9, after being rammed by another vessel following an apparent quarrel between smugglers.
At least 300 people, trying to reach Europe, are estimated to have died in one of the Mediterranean’s worst disasters. For those few who survived, an enduring memory would be the ruthlessness of the smugglers, who extorted money during the land journey out of Gaza and then mocked the migrants as they flailed in the water.	At least 300 people, trying to reach Europe, are estimated to have died in one of the Mediterranean’s worst disasters. For those few who survived, an enduring memory would be the ruthlessness of the smugglers, who extorted money during the land journey out of Gaza and then mocked the migrants as they flailed in the water.
“They wanted to kill us,” said Mohammed Awadallah, 23. “They started circling us, laughing at us.”	“They wanted to kill us,” said Mohammed Awadallah, 23. “They started circling us, laughing at us.”
Today, the business of smuggling refugees and migrants across the Mediterranean into Europe has become a hugely profitable, if deadly, enterprise, with more than 3,000 people believed to have died so far this year. One United Nations official estimated that in 2014 smugglers on those routes would gross more than $1 billion, with sophisticated operations that sometimes overlap with criminal gangs who traffic in arms and drugs.	Today, the business of smuggling refugees and migrants across the Mediterranean into Europe has become a hugely profitable, if deadly, enterprise, with more than 3,000 people believed to have died so far this year. One United Nations official estimated that in 2014 smugglers on those routes would gross more than $1 billion, with sophisticated operations that sometimes overlap with criminal gangs who traffic in arms and drugs.
For Europe, the enormous influx of migrants and refugees has stirred both sympathy and resentment, while presenting a policy conundrum — the humanitarian imperative of rescuing the desperate at sea versus the economic and political burden of absorbing them.	For Europe, the enormous influx of migrants and refugees has stirred both sympathy and resentment, while presenting a policy conundrum — the humanitarian imperative of rescuing the desperate at sea versus the economic and political burden of absorbing them.
With illegal migration very likely to keep growing, one question is whether to expand legal migration. With policing in disarray along the North African coastline, the smuggling networks are thriving.	With illegal migration very likely to keep growing, one question is whether to expand legal migration. With policing in disarray along the North African coastline, the smuggling networks are thriving.
“It is a huge coastline and next to impossible to patrol all of it,” said Masood Karimipour, regional representative in Cairo for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for the Middle East and North Africa. “It’s only going to get worse with the dislocation of people.”	“It is a huge coastline and next to impossible to patrol all of it,” said Masood Karimipour, regional representative in Cairo for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for the Middle East and North Africa. “It’s only going to get worse with the dislocation of people.”
The journey of the Awadallah and Doghmosh brothers — involving an elaborate network of smugglers, bus drivers and safe houses — illustrates how quickly these human smuggling routes have coalesced in response to upheaval in the Arab world.	The journey of the Awadallah and Doghmosh brothers — involving an elaborate network of smugglers, bus drivers and safe houses — illustrates how quickly these human smuggling routes have coalesced in response to upheaval in the Arab world.
Last year, Syria became a locus of outbound migration, and now a growing number of Palestinians have been fleeing Gaza following Israel’s summertime war with Hamas. Escaping from Gaza meant crawling through smuggling tunnels and then sprinting across the desert.	Last year, Syria became a locus of outbound migration, and now a growing number of Palestinians have been fleeing Gaza following Israel’s summertime war with Hamas. Escaping from Gaza meant crawling through smuggling tunnels and then sprinting across the desert.
For each of the four men, who were trying to reach relatives in Sweden, the cost was roughly $4,000 —a figure that, if applied to all the migrants on the doomed boat, means that smugglers grossed about $1.2 million from a single, fatal journey.	For each of the four men, who were trying to reach relatives in Sweden, the cost was roughly $4,000 —a figure that, if applied to all the migrants on the doomed boat, means that smugglers grossed about $1.2 million from a single, fatal journey.
“Life in Gaza is like having no life,” said Mamoun Doghmosh, explaining why he and others took the risks to try to reach Europe. “Everything is destroyed.”	“Life in Gaza is like having no life,” said Mamoun Doghmosh, explaining why he and others took the risks to try to reach Europe. “Everything is destroyed.”
For the Awadallah brothers, Israeli shelling had destroyed their apartment and the motorbike they used to earn money by making deliveries. Homeless and jobless, they decided to join an uncle in Sweden, and began looking for a smuggler.	For the Awadallah brothers, Israeli shelling had destroyed their apartment and the motorbike they used to earn money by making deliveries. Homeless and jobless, they decided to join an uncle in Sweden, and began looking for a smuggler.
“People started giving us phone numbers and we got the number for Abu Sharaf,” said Mohammed Awadallah. “He told us everything would be legal.”	“People started giving us phone numbers and we got the number for Abu Sharaf,” said Mohammed Awadallah. “He told us everything would be legal.”
In interviews in Gaza, several people identified Abu Sharaf Al-Massri as a well-known smuggler. He could not be reached for comment but his cousin, Samir Al-Massri, said Abu Sharaf was connected with smugglers in Egypt, who arranged for transportation and safe houses through the Sinai to the Egyptian coast and, finally, onto boats.	In interviews in Gaza, several people identified Abu Sharaf Al-Massri as a well-known smuggler. He could not be reached for comment but his cousin, Samir Al-Massri, said Abu Sharaf was connected with smugglers in Egypt, who arranged for transportation and safe houses through the Sinai to the Egyptian coast and, finally, onto boats.
Palestinians with proper paperwork can enter Egypt legally through a border crossing at Rafah. For those trying to reach Europe, the usual practice is to buy a fake Egyptian visa stamp — in case they are stopped on the Egyptian side — and escape through the tunnels.	Palestinians with proper paperwork can enter Egypt legally through a border crossing at Rafah. For those trying to reach Europe, the usual practice is to buy a fake Egyptian visa stamp — in case they are stopped on the Egyptian side — and escape through the tunnels.
The Doghmosh brothers, who also used Abu Sharaf, led a small family group out of Gaza that included two young nephews and a close friend. The Doghmosh and Awadallah brothers left on different days with different groups, as curtained vans delivered them to one of the smuggling tunnels near the town of Khan Younis.	The Doghmosh brothers, who also used Abu Sharaf, led a small family group out of Gaza that included two young nephews and a close friend. The Doghmosh and Awadallah brothers left on different days with different groups, as curtained vans delivered them to one of the smuggling tunnels near the town of Khan Younis.
There, they descended about 70 feet down a ladder and crawled on their elbows underground for more than a mile. The Awadallahs spent three hours crawling in the damp, dark tunnel and nine hours waiting at the Egyptian end for a signal to exit.	There, they descended about 70 feet down a ladder and crawled on their elbows underground for more than a mile. The Awadallahs spent three hours crawling in the damp, dark tunnel and nine hours waiting at the Egyptian end for a signal to exit.
There, a smuggler opened the hatch, even as Egyptian border guards started firing. “He started shouting, ‘Run! Run! Run!′ ” Mohammed Awadallah recalled. They ran until another group of smugglers pushed them into a car.	There, a smuggler opened the hatch, even as Egyptian border guards started firing. “He started shouting, ‘Run! Run! Run!′ ” Mohammed Awadallah recalled. They ran until another group of smugglers pushed them into a car.
First, though, the Awadallah brothers say the smugglers demanded $50 or $100 as a bribe for returning their passports.	First, though, the Awadallah brothers say the smugglers demanded $50 or $100 as a bribe for returning their passports.
For the next several days or so, the smugglers shuttled them to a vacated safe house, then to a darkened bus stop and finally to a tall building in a densely populated city that they assumed was Alexandria.	For the next several days or so, the smugglers shuttled them to a vacated safe house, then to a darkened bus stop and finally to a tall building in a densely populated city that they assumed was Alexandria.
Three hours later, they got a call: They were leaving now. As they hustled to board buses, they discovered that hundreds of other migrants were emptying out of the building.	Three hours later, they got a call: They were leaving now. As they hustled to board buses, they discovered that hundreds of other migrants were emptying out of the building.
By some estimates, as many as one million migrants are hiding on the North African coast, from Libya to Egypt, during the peak summer months, waiting for boats. In Egypt, smuggling in Alexandria and nearby ports has risen sharply since the Syrian exodus began in 2013, when five to seven boats left every week. Now five to seven boats leave every day.	By some estimates, as many as one million migrants are hiding on the North African coast, from Libya to Egypt, during the peak summer months, waiting for boats. In Egypt, smuggling in Alexandria and nearby ports has risen sharply since the Syrian exodus began in 2013, when five to seven boats left every week. Now five to seven boats leave every day.
Ahmed El-Chazli and Muhammed Al Kashef, who monitor illegal immigration in Alexandria for the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, a human rights group, said smugglers in Egypt now offer the equivalent of a rate card, with higher fees during the summer, when sea conditions are less risky.	Ahmed El-Chazli and Muhammed Al Kashef, who monitor illegal immigration in Alexandria for the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, a human rights group, said smugglers in Egypt now offer the equivalent of a rate card, with higher fees during the summer, when sea conditions are less risky.
A basic package costs $2,000 per person, which includes only water to drink. Prices rise if a migrant wants a single meal per day. The most expensive package is roughly $4,000 for passage directly to Albania, a landing point that shortens the land route to Scandinavian countries that offer more help to many refugees.	A basic package costs $2,000 per person, which includes only water to drink. Prices rise if a migrant wants a single meal per day. The most expensive package is roughly $4,000 for passage directly to Albania, a landing point that shortens the land route to Scandinavian countries that offer more help to many refugees.
The two Egyptian researchers have identified three main smuggling rings; networks of brokers, drivers and boat crews. In some cases, the midlevel brokers are Syrian refugees, unable to get a work permit in Egypt, who join the operation in exchange for free passage for their families on the boats to Europe.	The two Egyptian researchers have identified three main smuggling rings; networks of brokers, drivers and boat crews. In some cases, the midlevel brokers are Syrian refugees, unable to get a work permit in Egypt, who join the operation in exchange for free passage for their families on the boats to Europe.
The Awadallah and Doghmosh brothers say they used the ring run by a smuggling boss known as Abu Hamada, a Syrian living in Egypt who the two researchers say is nicknamed “The Doctor.”	The Awadallah and Doghmosh brothers say they used the ring run by a smuggling boss known as Abu Hamada, a Syrian living in Egypt who the two researchers say is nicknamed “The Doctor.”
When the buses delivered them to the coast, everyone sprinted across a beach, waded into chest-deep water and then crawled onto two small boats. That began a journey over the next three days that saw them transfer onto two more boats, each more crowded than the last , until more than 300 people (other survivors have put the number as high as 500) were pressed together with barely room to stand.	When the buses delivered them to the coast, everyone sprinted across a beach, waded into chest-deep water and then crawled onto two small boats. That began a journey over the next three days that saw them transfer onto two more boats, each more crowded than the last , until more than 300 people (other survivors have put the number as high as 500) were pressed together with barely room to stand.
“They treated us like animals,” said Mohammed Awadallah.	“They treated us like animals,” said Mohammed Awadallah.
Finally, a rickety wooden boat, even smaller, appeared. “We refused,” Mohammed Awadallah said of orders to board. “Even the captain said no.”	Finally, a rickety wooden boat, even smaller, appeared. “We refused,” Mohammed Awadallah said of orders to board. “Even the captain said no.”
According to the brothers, the captain called to complain about the unsafe boat to the smuggling boss in Egypt — possibly Abu Hamada — and soon the two men were screaming on the telephone.	According to the brothers, the captain called to complain about the unsafe boat to the smuggling boss in Egypt — possibly Abu Hamada — and soon the two men were screaming on the telephone.
The captain hung up and kept traveling toward Italian waters. It was now Sept. 9, and another boat appeared, larger and more modern, with an Egyptian crew that began shouting at the captain and throwing metal objects at him.	The captain hung up and kept traveling toward Italian waters. It was now Sept. 9, and another boat appeared, larger and more modern, with an Egyptian crew that began shouting at the captain and throwing metal objects at him.
Then the larger boat pulled parallel and turned quickly, ramming its nose into the hull of the migrant boat, flipping it over.	Then the larger boat pulled parallel and turned quickly, ramming its nose into the hull of the migrant boat, flipping it over.
Soon, dead bodies were floating in the water, as survivors grabbed life jackets floating in the water. The Awadallah brothers collected five large bottles of fresh water, as well as bags of dates and sweets. Mamoun Doghmosh desperately searched for his nephews. The older boy was injured and struggling, turning blue.	Soon, dead bodies were floating in the water, as survivors grabbed life jackets floating in the water. The Awadallah brothers collected five large bottles of fresh water, as well as bags of dates and sweets. Mamoun Doghmosh desperately searched for his nephews. The older boy was injured and struggling, turning blue.
“After 15 minutes, he died,” Mamoun Doghmosh recalled. The younger nephew, only 5, would die, too.	“After 15 minutes, he died,” Mamoun Doghmosh recalled. The younger nephew, only 5, would die, too.
On that first night, as many as 150 survivors bunched together, floating in a circle with interlocking elbows. By the next morning, the brothers say another 20 people had died.	On that first night, as many as 150 survivors bunched together, floating in a circle with interlocking elbows. By the next morning, the brothers say another 20 people had died.
“You have no water,” said Mohammed Awadallah. “You have no food. And some of these people are sick.”	“You have no water,” said Mohammed Awadallah. “You have no food. And some of these people are sick.”
For the next three days, the group steadily dwindled. Some broke off into smaller groups and floated away, searching for rescue ships. Two people were later found and taken to Italy; another small group of survivors was rescued and taken to Crete. Others were carried off by the current and never seen again. Still others were going mad.	For the next three days, the group steadily dwindled. Some broke off into smaller groups and floated away, searching for rescue ships. Two people were later found and taken to Italy; another small group of survivors was rescued and taken to Crete. Others were carried off by the current and never seen again. Still others were going mad.