Many migrants feared drowned in Mediterranean

(Vatican Radio) It’s feared over 200 migrants may have drowned in the Mediterranean sea when a boat carrying 600 people capsized Wednesday off the Libyan coast.

The Italian coastguard said around 370 people were saved by rescue ships from the Italian and Irishnavies and humanitarian agency Medecins sans Frontiers.

25 bodies have already been recovered. Many of the people on board the vessel were Syrians fleeing the country’s civil war.

Speaking to Vatican Radio’s Jean Baptiste Cocagne, Loris De Filippi,  President in Italy of Medecins sans Frontiers said Europe needs to act now to ensure more lives are not lost.

Listen: 

“I think Europe should think and act very quickly to construct some legal and safe ways to give these people that are fleeing from wars…to give them the opportunity to reach some safe lands in Europe…”

Thousands of migrants have made the perilous journey across the Mediterranean Sea in search of a better life in Europe.

It is estimated that more than 2,000 migrants and refugees have died so far this year attempting to reach European shores by boat.

Last year 3,279 migrants died trying to make the sea bound crossing.