Pope Francis today called for aid to be stepped up for migrants trying to reach Europe’s shores following reports that as many as 300 migrants have died in recent days attempting the Mediterranean crossing from Libya to Italy.
At the end of his weekly audience he said he was “following with preoccupation news from Lampedusa, where there have been more deaths amongst the migrants caused by cold during their journey across the Mediterranean”.
“I wish to assure my prayers for the victims and once again encourage solidarity so that no one is without necessary aid,” he said.
Refugees told Italian authorities this morning that four dinghies left Libya on Saturday, each carrying around 100 people. Theirs was the only one to have been intercepted.
At least 27 migrants died of hypothermia after being picked up near the Italian island of Lampedusa, the Italian coastguard said. They were part of a group of 105 people found on board an inflatable boat about 160km (100 miles) out to sea, and spent around 18 hours on the open decks of two patrol boats as they made their way to dry land.
In November, Italy announced the end of its €9m (£7m)-a-month Mare Nostrum mission aimed at rescuing seaborne migrants.
The British Government said at the time that it was withdrawing its share of funding for Mare Nostrum because it believed the operation encouraged more migrants to attempt the crossing.
Mare Nostrum was replaced by the far smaller EU mission called Triton, which patrols the area within 30 miles of the Italian coast.
Above: Pope Francis at today's General Audience. Photo: CNS
Loading ...
