Rescue workers yesterday recovered 62 dead after the recent refugee tragedy in the Mediterranean. Rescuers of the Red Crescent had taken 62 bodies of refugees from the water since yesterday evening, said today a representative of the relief organization, Abdelmoneim Abu Sbeih.
The wooden boat had sunk yesterday off the coast of the Libyan city of Choms. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) feared more than 110 deaths. The Libyan Coast Guard spoke of 115 missing persons; according to her, 145 of the castaways were rescued. However, it was still unclear how many people were on board.
Libya is a central hub for refugees and migrants who want to reach Europe via the Mediterranean. However, there is civil war in the North African country and large parts of the country are controlled by militias.
UN urges return to maritime rescue
After what is arguably the most serious marine disaster in the Mediterranean this year, United Nations agencies are calling for rescuing the sea rescue there. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also called for an end to the internment in Libya.
