More than 40 people missing in boat sinking in Mediterranean Sea

(Baonghean.vn) - On Thursday, April 16, another tragedy occurred when a boat carrying illegal immigrants sank in the Mediterranean Sea. According to the testimony of 4 survivors, the boat carrying immigrants from Libya deflated and sank in the Strait of Sicily, Italy.

Witnesses said there were 45 people on board the boat. When the boat sank, a plane spotted the incident and four victims were rescued by an Italian military ship. The four were then taken to Trapani in Sicily, along with more than 600 other illegal immigrants rescued at sea by the Italian coast guard and navy.

Italian coastguards recover bodies after a shipwreck carrying illegal immigrants on April 12 in the Mediterranean Sea. Photo: AFP

The boat sinking comes less than a week after a boat sank off the coast of Reggio Calabria, on Italy’s southern tip, on Sunday, April 12. A boat carrying more than 550 people sank in the Mediterranean Sea. Italian police said there were only 150 survivors and 400 others missing after the sinking.

In addition to rescuing and deporting returning refugees, authorities have also been forced to deal with religious conflicts on the boats. On Wednesday, April 15, in the Sicilian port of Palermo, 15 illegal African Muslim immigrants were arrested for throwing 12 Christian immigrants overboard during clashes on board. On Thursday, April 16, they were charged with “multiple murders and inciting religious hatred.” Police said that ethnic Nigerians and Ghanaians have often been threatened with throwing passengers overboard.

Chu Thanh– according to Le Monde April 16