400 Refugees Drown While Crossing from Egypt to Italy: Reports

At least 400 refugees travelling by boats from Egypt to Italy have drowned in the Mediterranean sea, reported BBC Arabic citing Somalia’s Ambassador to Egypt.

Earlier in the idea, Somali media reported that hundreds of Somali youth had died when their boat capsized in the Mediterranean Sea.

Despite the reports, which were also relayed by MSF, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is yet to confirm the incident.

According to Somali media, the refugees were mainly Somalis but also included Ethiopians and Eritreans.

Meanwhile, Italian President Sergio Mattarella acknowledged the reports, saying that it appears another tragedy has taken place. The President, though, added that the government has been unable to confirm the news.

The IOM reports that 177,207 migrants, including refugees, arrived by sea to Europe in 2015. However, 732 migrants were either killed or declared missing at sea.

In the past year, Egypt’s navy has prevented a number of ‘illegal crossings’ over the Mediterranean, often publishing photographs of thwarted migration attempts.

More than one million refugees and migrants from Syria and other countries entered Europe in 2015 hoping to rebuild their lives.

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