A ship carrying migrants has capsized off the coast of the Italian island of Lampedusa, killing at least 20 people. A search and rescue operation is underway, while the UK is stepping up its fight against illegal migration.
The tragedy occurred off the Italian island of Lampedusa, where at least 20 people died when a ship carrying migrants sank.
According to preliminary data, between 70 and 80 people were rescued in the incident, but the search and rescue operation is still ongoing.
The island of Lampedusa, part of the Pelagie Islands, is the southernmost point of Italy and the first port of call for boats carrying migrants from North Africa. Migrants arrive there on anything from rubber boats to homemade rafts, mainly from Libya and Tunisia.
Earlier, the British authorities announced their intention to allocate an additional $132 million to strengthen measures to combat illegal migration across the English Channel.
Nicola Fratoianni, Italian politician and leader of the Italian Left party, called on the authorities to pay attention to the tragedy:
“What happened in #Lampedusa is yet another tragedy resulting from misguided policies and cynical and ineffective propaganda. An international search and rescue operation is needed in the Mediterranean Sea. #migrants #Avs.”
