250 Migrants Missing After Boat Capsizes
The recent unrest in Northern Africa has spurred thousands of migrants to take the treacherous boat ride across the mediterranean to Europe. The NY Times is reporting that more than 250 migrants are missing off the shore of the Italian island Lampedusa after their boat, originating in Libya, capsized.
According to the International Organization for Migration, the boat left Libya carrying migrants and asylum seekers from Somalia, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Ivory Coast, Chad and Sudan. The organization said that an estimated 40 women and 5 children had been on board, and that only 2 women had been rescued so far.
Early Wednesday morning, an Italian Coast Guard patrol boat reached the stricken vessel after those aboard, using a satellite phone, had sought help from the Maltese maritime authorities, Commander Alessandro said.
Just as the coast guard boat reached the vessel, which was taking on water, its engine stalled. Strong waves and panicking passengers caused the vessel to rock, people began falling overboard and it capsized.
In 2006, Vanguard's Mariana Van Zeller travelled to Mauritania where a new, deadly route had emerged for African immigrants trying to reach Europe. This piece gives context on why so many African migrants attempt the trip across the Mediterranean, despite its inherent risks.
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