(ANSAmed) - ROME, APRIL 23 - Dozens of migrants have been
reported missing and are feared dead after a rubber dinghy sank
off the coast of Libya, Sos Mediterranee reports. According to
the crew of the Ocean Viking vessel, 130 people were on board
the boat that was attempting the crossing in bad weather when it
was reported missing north-east of Tripoli.
Thirteen bodies have so far been sighted at sea although it hasn't been possible to retrieve them yet.
Luisa Albera, coordinator of search and rescue operations on board the Ocean Viking, said that "after hours of searching, our worst fear came true. The crew of the Ocean Viking had to witness the devastating consequences of the shipwreck of a dinghy north-east of Tripoli. The alarm about the same boat with about 130 people on board was launched on Wednesday morning".
"In the absence of effective coordination by the state - added Albera - three merchant ships and the Ocean Viking cooperated to organize the search in very difficult sea conditions. While they were looking without pause, amid a total lack of support by the maritime authorities in charge, three bodies were seen in the water by merchant ship My Rose. A Frontex plane shortly afterwards saw the wreckage of a dinghy. We have found no survivors since arriving on the spot today (Thursday) but we have seen at least 10 bodies near the relic.
Our hearts are broken". (ANSAmed).
Thirteen bodies have so far been sighted at sea although it hasn't been possible to retrieve them yet.
Luisa Albera, coordinator of search and rescue operations on board the Ocean Viking, said that "after hours of searching, our worst fear came true. The crew of the Ocean Viking had to witness the devastating consequences of the shipwreck of a dinghy north-east of Tripoli. The alarm about the same boat with about 130 people on board was launched on Wednesday morning".
"In the absence of effective coordination by the state - added Albera - three merchant ships and the Ocean Viking cooperated to organize the search in very difficult sea conditions. While they were looking without pause, amid a total lack of support by the maritime authorities in charge, three bodies were seen in the water by merchant ship My Rose. A Frontex plane shortly afterwards saw the wreckage of a dinghy. We have found no survivors since arriving on the spot today (Thursday) but we have seen at least 10 bodies near the relic.
Our hearts are broken". (ANSAmed).
