© picture alliance / Anadolu | Valeria Ferraro
Italian rescue workers have recovered 10 bodies after a boat carrying migrants capsized about 45 nautical miles off the coast of Malta.
The vessel reportedly set out from Libya with about 60 people on board. About 48 migrants were rescued alive by a fishing boat that was near the accident. Search and rescue operations under Maltese coordination and with support from the Italian Coast Guard are still ongoing.
The incident highlights the continuing dangers of the central Mediterranean route, one of the deadliest migration routes in the world. According to the International Organization for Migration, at least 827 people have died on this route so far this year. Last year, more than 1,330 people lost their lives trying to reach Europe via this route.
The tragedy is taking place as Europe continues its efforts to curb migration from North Africa. Since 2015, the European Union has provided significant financial aid to Libya, some €700 million, to strengthen border control. Italy, for its part, has long cooperated with Libyan authorities, including supporting the Libyan coast guard in intercepting migrant boats before they reach European waters.
Illustration picture: © picture alliance / Anadolu | Valeria Ferraro