(ANSAmed) - ROME, APRIL 13 - The United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Monday expressed deep
concern over the latest migrant deaths at sea in the
Mediterranean.
At least nine people lost their lives when the Italy-bound
boat they were traveling in capsized.
The UNHCR praised efforts by the Italian authorities, who
over the past three days have rescued 5,500 migrants at sea. The
UN body called on rescues at sea to be bolstered and that they
be brought under EU management.
The UNHCR noted that over 500 migrants had died at sea since
the beginning of 2015, some 30 times higher than that seen in
the same period last year.
The UN agency said that this shows that more needs to be done
to deal with current migratory trends in the region and that
without sufficient monitoring, search and rescue operations at
sea, many others will lose their lives in the attempt to reach
Europe.
It also urged that efforts be stepped up to ensure legal,
safe alternatives for those fleeing conflict and persecution in
order to prevent them from undertaking dangerous sea crossings.
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