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Seventeen migrants die in Mediterranean - Italian navy | Seventeen migrants die in Mediterranean - Italian navy |
(35 minutes later) | |
Seventeen migrants have died while attempting to cross the Mediterranean in a small inflatable boat, according to the Italian navy. | Seventeen migrants have died while attempting to cross the Mediterranean in a small inflatable boat, according to the Italian navy. |
The navy said it had recovered 16 bodies aboard the boat, and one person died after being rescued. More than 70 survivors were also found. | The navy said it had recovered 16 bodies aboard the boat, and one person died after being rescued. More than 70 survivors were also found. |
Most of the deaths were reportedly caused by hypothermia or dehydration. | Most of the deaths were reportedly caused by hypothermia or dehydration. |
Last month, an Italian mission to rescue migrants was replaced by scaled-back EU coastal patrols. | Last month, an Italian mission to rescue migrants was replaced by scaled-back EU coastal patrols. |
The deaths reported on Friday are believed to be the first since the Italian-run Mare Nostrum operation began to be phased out in favour of the Triton programme, a multinational effort run by the EU's Frontex border agency. | The deaths reported on Friday are believed to be the first since the Italian-run Mare Nostrum operation began to be phased out in favour of the Triton programme, a multinational effort run by the EU's Frontex border agency. |
Mare Nostrum policed waters close to the shores of Libya, where most of the migrant boats set off. | Mare Nostrum policed waters close to the shores of Libya, where most of the migrant boats set off. |
Triton has a much smaller budget and restricts patrols to the EU's coastal waters. | Triton has a much smaller budget and restricts patrols to the EU's coastal waters. |
Italy has had to deal with a massive surge in migrants - many of them from the Middle East and the Horn of Africa - setting off on boats from Libya with hopes of reaching Europe. | Italy has had to deal with a massive surge in migrants - many of them from the Middle East and the Horn of Africa - setting off on boats from Libya with hopes of reaching Europe. |
About 150,000 migrants have been rescued by Italian ships over the past year. | About 150,000 migrants have been rescued by Italian ships over the past year. |
The Italian navy has said it would continue to operate search-and-rescue missions for migrants, in parallel with Triton. | |
'New approach' needed | |
Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said the latest boat carrying the dead migrants was intercepted some 150 miles (240 km) off the Italian island of Lampedusa - or some 40 miles (65 km) from the Libyan capital, Tripoli. | Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said the latest boat carrying the dead migrants was intercepted some 150 miles (240 km) off the Italian island of Lampedusa - or some 40 miles (65 km) from the Libyan capital, Tripoli. |
According to the Italian navy, more than 200 migrants had been rescued in other operations since Thursday. | According to the Italian navy, more than 200 migrants had been rescued in other operations since Thursday. |
Mare Nostrum was launched after hundreds of migrants drowned off Lampedusa. It was always intended to be a temporary mission. | Mare Nostrum was launched after hundreds of migrants drowned off Lampedusa. It was always intended to be a temporary mission. |
Some critics - including UK officials - had argued that the operation was encouraging migrants to set off on un-seaworthy boats. | Some critics - including UK officials - had argued that the operation was encouraging migrants to set off on un-seaworthy boats. |
A UN expert responsible for the human rights of migrants said on Friday that the surge of migrants across the Mediterranean had resulted in a global humanitarian crisis which deserved a global humanitarian response. | A UN expert responsible for the human rights of migrants said on Friday that the surge of migrants across the Mediterranean had resulted in a global humanitarian crisis which deserved a global humanitarian response. |
"This requires a new and concerted strategic approach by European States and international community," UN Special Rapporteur Francois Crepeau said. | "This requires a new and concerted strategic approach by European States and international community," UN Special Rapporteur Francois Crepeau said. |
He praised the Mare Nostrum programme and urged other nations to support Italy's rescue operations and help resettle refugees. | He praised the Mare Nostrum programme and urged other nations to support Italy's rescue operations and help resettle refugees. |
Global human rights group Amnesty International said the latest deaths emphasised the need for the EU to improve its efforts to protect refugees and migrants. | |
"The down-sizing of Italy's search and rescue operation without an effective EU-wide replacement is putting the lives of hundreds of thousands at risk," John Dalhuisen, director for Europe and Central Asia at Amnesty International, said. | "The down-sizing of Italy's search and rescue operation without an effective EU-wide replacement is putting the lives of hundreds of thousands at risk," John Dalhuisen, director for Europe and Central Asia at Amnesty International, said. |
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