Search and rescue continue in wake of Mediterranean disaster

(Vatican Radio) The European Union proposed doubling the size of its Mediterranean search and rescue operations on Monday, as the first bodies were brought ashore of as many as 900 people feared killed in the deadliest known shipwreck of migrants trying to reach Europe.

Three other rescue operations were underway Monday to save hundreds more migrants in peril on overloaded vessels making the journey from the north coast of Africa to Europe.

Italian authorities arrested two survivors of Sunday's migrant boat disaster on suspicion of human trafficking.

The country’s police interviewed 27 survivors of the wreck as they were brought to Italy on a coast guard vessel.

The mass deaths over the weekend have caused shock in Europe, where a decision to scale back naval operations last year seems to have increased the risks for migrants without reducing their numbers.