At least 10 illegal immigrants have died after a boat thought to be carrying as many as 120 illegal immigrants sank off the coast of the island of Lampedusa, according to Agenzia Giornalistica Italia (AGI). The tragedy unfolded at around 0330CEST, 14 kilometers (9 miles) South of Lampedusa.
While BBC News reported that at least seven are among those who drowned in the tragedy, AGI said that the death toll is of at least 10 and that the number of victims could rise to 40.
By 0345CEST Sicilian coast guards aboard a vessel called "Minerva" launched a search and rescue. However, rough seas and strong winds blowing at Force 4 in a Southeasterly direction did not facilitate the operation.
AGI stated that the boat could have sunk after excitement and commotion erupted among the illegal immigrants when the rescue vessel was sighted. According to BBC News the boat the illegal immigrants were traveling in was said to have been about 10m (33ft) long.
In turn, those illegal immigrants who were rescued were found to be in a very good health condition. In fact, only one illegal immigrant was taken to Lampedusa Hospital to be treated for an asthma attack.
Similar to Malta, Lampedusa, one of Italy's southernmost islands, is a magnet for migrants. Many Africans attempt the journey in search for a better life in European countries, often on overcrowded and unsafe boats. This tragedy mirrors one which took place in Maltese territorial waters last 26th July when up to 17 illegal immigrants, believed to be from Africa, were reported missing after their boat sank.
The Italian interior ministry said 178 boats with a total of 10,414 people on board arrived on Lampedusa between 1 January 1 and 31 July 31 this year, compared with 6,901 illegal immigrants during the same period in 2005, according to news agency AFP.
So far, 1,278 illegal immigrants have reached Maltese land this year. 70 of these were repatriated earlier this month, leaving the total of illegal immigrants present in Malta at 1,208.
Read more about this issue on MaltaMedia's special feature:
Lanċa Ġejja u Oħra Sejra: Malta and its migrations.
See also:
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Aug 16, 2006, 09:20 CET
Illegal immigrants feared dead
By MaltaMedia News
Jul 31, 2006, 10:25 CET
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