Some 126 refugees drowned in the Mediterranean after Libyan people-smugglers stole their outboard motor, leaving them at the mercy of the waves and other attackers. The dinghy, which left from a beach in Libya on 16 June, was heading toward Italy when it was attacked. The waves soon engulfed the dinghy and it sank. It is believed there were 130 on board, of whom four (two Nigerians and two Sudanese) were rescued by passing fishermen. Most of the passengers were from Sudan. A spokesman for the UN migration agency said the incident was ‘tantamount to murder’. He added, ‘We believe the motor may even have been stolen by the smugglers who launched the dinghy in the first place, or a rival group. Many motors have been stolen in recent times as they are valuable to the smugglers.’
North Africa: mass losses at sea
Written by David Fletcher 23 Jun 2017Additional Info
- Pray: for the Italian coastguards to be able to intervene more often, that more lives can be saved. Pray also for increased stability in the North African countries so that migration is not seen as the only way out of the difficulties. (Luke 1:74)
- More: www.foxnews.com/world/2017/06/19/126-refugees-killed-in-boat-wreck-off-libya-un-investigators-say.html