HUNDREDS OF AFRICAN MIGRANTS BELIEVED DROWNED IN MEDITERRANEAN
Hundreds of refugees are believed to have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea trying to reach Europe, one year after a similar tragedy, Italy’s president confirmed Monday.
Sergio Mattarella said Europe faced “yet another tragedy in the Mediterranean in which, it seems, several hundred people have died.”
His comments are the first official remarks on a recent incident that had previously been denied by Italian authorities.
Italy’s foreign minister also confirmed the tragedy on Monday, but said that details were still scarce.
“What is sure is that we are again with a tragedy in the Mediterranean, exactly one year after the tragedy we had … in Libyan waters,” Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni was quoted as saying.
In April 2015, more than 700 refugees died in a similar incident when their boat sank on the way to Italy.
The incident caused an international outcry and may have helped to convince European politicians like German Chancellor Angela Merkel to adopt a more refugee-friendly policy approach last year.
Previously, the Somali ambassador to Egypt said that up to 400 refugees travelling on four boats might have died.
According to the ambassador, the victims are believed to have come from Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia.