At least seven Somali migrants have died as they attempted to cross from Libya to Europe, according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR.
The dead include five men and two women. UNHCR says the dead were
among a group of 90 migrants who travelled on a boat from Libya across
the Mediterranean Sea.
The boat landed on one of Malta's popular beaches on Saturday where
the survivors narrated their seven day ordeal to rescuers and UNHCR
staff.
Adrian Edwards is from the UNHCR
"This is the fourth-such boat to have arrived in Malta this year,
bringing a total of some 220 people. A further 45 boats have arrived in
Italy.
According to our regional office in Italy the latest deaths
bring the number of reported or confirmed dead among people attempting
to reach Europe from Libya to 81 this year – or two people every three
days on average.
Last year an estimated 1500 people were reported
missing or dead attempting to reach Europe.
UNHCR reiterates its call to
ship masters in the Mediterranean for heightened vigilance and
continued adherence to the longstanding maritime obligation of aiding
those in distress at sea."
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