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Add to Preferred SourcesAbout 6,600 migrants and refugees were rescued in the past few days trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea, United Nations authorities have said, as rescuers are on the lookout for up to 245 people missing after two shipwrecks this weekend.
“Rescue at sea operations, including by the Italian Coast Guard, in coordination with Frontex, and by [non-governmental organizations] are of crucial importance,” Cécile Pouilly, a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
A rubber dinghy sank on Friday night with an estimated 132 people on board. Ms. Pouilly said some 50 people were rescued and disembarked in Sicily on Sunday, but more than 80 people are feared dead.More recently, seven people out of an estimated 170 were rescued from a shipwreck that took place on Sunday off the coast of Libya.
UN raises alarm on migrant deaths in the Mediterranean Sea
This brings the number of migrants and refugees killed while trying to cross the straits to at least 1,309 this year, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Meanwhile, some 49,310 migrants and refugees entered Europe by sea so far this year, IOM reported.The figure is lower than the 187,569 arrivals between 1 January and 7 May 2016.
More shipwrecks expected
The two latest shipwrecks came amid favorable weather over the weekend and
improved sea conditions. As the weather warms, more people are expected to launch. The likelihood of shipwreck is increasing as smugglers put more and more people on boats and the quality of vessels is decreasing.
In cases of shipwrecks, finding survivors has become more difficult. People on smuggler boats are increasingly less likely to have a satellite phone – a trend that is confirmed by the Italian coast guard.