UN concern over the death of 700 migrants in the Mediterranean

The spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), has expressed the commissioner’s fear that around 700 migrants may have died in the Mediterranean Sea since last Wednesday.

William Spindler told Anadolu Agency on Sunday that 650 people are reported to be missing and the bodies of 45 others were recovered from the sea after the sinking of three boats on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. “We are concerned over the possibility that at least 700 people may have died in three boats since Wednesday,” he confirmed.

According to Italian media, the Italian Coast Guard and other international teams in the region have saved about 13,000 migrants from the Mediterranean since the beginning of the week and recovered the bodies of 65 others. The number of those who are still missing is estimated to be in the hundreds.

In a press interview, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi stressed the need for the EU to develop a new strategy for the issue of illegal immigration from Africa.