From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Thu Aug 20 2009 - 09:58:18 EDT
*Rescued Eritreans say 75 of their fellow migrants died at sea * Posted
on : 2009-08-20 | Author : DPA
News Category : Europe** **
Rome - Five Eritreans rescued by Italy's coastguard on Thursday claimed
that 75 members of their group died at sea, raising fears of another tragedy
involving would-be immigrants. The five - including a man and a woman whose
health conditions were described by officials as serious - were found
floating on a rubber dinghy south of the Italian Mediterranean islet of
Lampedusa.
The would-be immigrants said they sailed from Libya around 20 days ago in a
group consisting of 80 people, most of whom succumbed to dehydration during
the journey, the ANSA news agency reported citing officials.
The bodies of those who died were apparently thrown overboard.
Italian authorities have reported a drastic reduction in the number of
would-be immigrants landing on Lampedusa following the coming into effect
earlier this year of a Rome-Tripoli pact aimed at curbing the illegal sea
journeys.
Through the agreement, Libya has committed to stepping up patrols along its
shoreline, which is often used by the mostly African migrants as a
springboard to reach Europe.
Italy also began deporting to Libya would-be immigrants intercepted in
international waters - a move which has drawn criticism from the United
Nations and humanitarian groups who say it contravenes international refugee
asylum accords.
----[This List to be used for Eritrea Related News Only]----