Libya: Boat carrying 555 migrants capsizes, 5 dead

(Baonghean.vn) - The Italian Navy said on May 25 that a large wooden fishing boat carrying about 555 migrants capsized off the coast of Libya. Five people died, while about 550 others were rescued.

Migrants climb aboard a capsized fishing boat off the coast of Libya before the rescue operation by the Italian Navy ships Bettica and Bergamini (Photo: Italian Navy)

Photos show the fishing boat rocking violently before it capsized, sending migrants tumbling into the sea. Some then climbed onto the hull, while others swam to nearby rescue boats or the navy ship Bettica.

There are no detailed statistics on the nationality of the migrants.

The Italian naval patrol ship Bettica noticed the boat carrying the migrants shaking and quickly approached to give life jackets to those on board. However, before the rescue could begin, the boat capsized due to the sudden movement of the migrants.

Several rubber boats have been used for rescue operations. The Italian navy destroyer Bergamini has deployed a helicopter to assist.

The Italian coast guard said the number of boats moving through the waters had increased significantly this week due to warm weather and calm waters. Some 5,600 migrants were rescued on May 23-24, and Italian officials fear the number will continue to rise as weather conditions improve.

According to the International Organization for Migration, in the past two years, more than 320,000 migrants have arrived by boat on the Italian coast and about 7,000 have died in the Mediterranean trying to reach Europe.

Thanh Hien

(According to Reuters)