NEW SHIPWRECK IN THE MEDITERRANEAN – Outbreak of arrivals from North Africa

The lives of 484 people rescued by Italian coastguard after another shipwreck occurred last Saturday, while seven men lost their lives in their attempt to reach Europe.

More than 45,000 people arrived in Italy this year with boats from North Africa, recording an increase of more than 40% over the same period last year, while 1,222 people are known to have died during the crossing, according to the International Organization for Migration.

The immigrants went to four rubber boats. They were rescued from the coastguard and the Italian Navy, a relief organization and two private boats. Most immigrants arriving by sea in Italy come from sub-Saharan Africa or Bangladesh and pay Libya-based traffickers to organize their crossings to Europe.