The worldwide Organization for Migration at least 2,365 people have died this year during the perilous journey across the Mediterranean Sea – up from 1,779 in the same period of 2014.
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The turmoil at the Macedonian border coincides with reports from Italy’s coast guard about the rescue of some 4,400 migrants in a single day, a record-setting number, as smugglers took advantage of ideal sea conditions off Libya to launch a fleet of overcrowded, unseaworthy boats, The Associated Press reports.
“The worldwide community must do all it can to go after the criminal gangs and people smugglers who trade so carelessly with the lives of others”.
The bodies were discovered during a rescue operation which saved 430 other people, the coast guard said. A Merlin helicopter is on task to assist in the spotting of migrant vessels. In total, more than 110,000 individuals have been rescued and brought to Italian ports this year.
“Thousands of migrants have been rescued off the Libyan coast this weekend and I am proud to say that vessels and aircraft funded by Frontex helped save more than half of them”, said Frontex Executive Director Fabrice Leggeri. “It is vital that HMS Enterprise continues with her picture building role so that we can better understand what is needed of this evolving mission”.
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HMS Enterprise began her role in the mission in July when she replaced the larger assault ship HMS Bulwark. It also has the capacity to house 120 people during operations. The hydrographic survey ship picked up 453 people from four boats and transferred them to the German frigate Schleswig Holstein.
