More than 1,100 migrants rescued off Italy in one day – BBC
Italy's navy has rescued 1,123 people from inflatable boats in the space of 24 hours, as clandestine migration from North Africa reaches record levels. The latest migrants were found in eight boats and a barge about
Italy’s navy has rescued 1,123 people from inflatable boats in the space of 24 hours, as clandestine migration from North Africa reaches record levels.
The latest migrants were found in eight boats and a barge about 120 miles (222km) south-east of Lampedusa.
They included 47 women, four of them pregnant, and 50 children, all probably from sub-Saharan Africa, the navy said.
Meanwhile, at least seven migrants have drowned trying to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa.
Local officials say the bodies of six men and a woman were found on a beach in neighbouring Morocco. The dead migrants were among hundreds of people who tried to enter Spanish territory on Thursday.
The Moroccan coastguard said it had picked up 150 of the migrants, while the rest swam back to shore.
All of the victims were reportedly from sub-Saharan Africa.
Some 2,000 migrants landed on Italian shores last month, nearly 10 times the number recorded in January 2013.
According to the government, last year saw an “incessant and massive influx of migrants” with a total of 42,925 arrivals by sea, or more than three times as many as in 2012.
The true number of migrants who died attempting the perilous crossing is unknown, but in October more than 400 people drowned in two shipwrecks near Lampedusa, the closest Italian territory to North Africa.
Wednesday saw better than usual weather conditions for the time of year.
Navy ships and helicopters began the rescue at 08:00 (07:00 GMT), continuing after darkness fell.
The migrants were put aboard an amphibious assault ship, the San Marco, and are due to arrive at the Sicilian port of Augusta on Friday morning.
Source:BBC
Mike February 6, 2014
I am now convinced that people are choosing the worst case scenario – Die or live and take a chance to cross the Ocean. Then why and how could anyone blame European countries for not rescuing these people?
Why are people not organizing and driving a change in their own country? If they are going to choose to die in the sea (Or take a chance crossing he Ocean) – why not try to fight for a change and take that same chance and make a difference – die making a difference that is – with pride?
Sala February 6, 2014
Mike
I can only speak for Eritrea. We became a FAILED people mentally and our country is now a FAILED NATION because of that. FAILED PEOPLE can only do what FAILED PEOPLE DO. Let their country become a FAILED NATION!
tamrat tamrat February 7, 2014
I dont think this is only eri thing. Pepople know what is best for them. No body risks his life foe nothing. The important thing is not to abuse their choice.
ahmed saleh February 6, 2014
Here we go again to witness a dangerous sea journey which become the great way for death.
For Eritreans when we think about it the fear not to happen again is still in our mind .
eritreanmilitary movement February 7, 2014
The eritrean Military movement annonces to all eritreans inside and outside eritrea that there was an assasination attempt against the eritrean dictator inside his palace in asmara .Thogh the assasination attempt has failed but it is a sign of the step up of the movements operation.
Bahta February 7, 2014
eritrea is the faster growing country in the world. it is better and huge economic power of the sub saharan countries.
eritreas is becoming africas economic hub. even eritreas exporting income is increase to 4 billion usd dollar last year.
but i always wonder why are the people running away. these who are running are actually not genuine eritrean. they have mixed blood with Ethiopia or sudan. otherwise no a single eritrean can run away while eritrea is supper economic hub of africa with full of freedom and democracy.
abdu February 7, 2014
Halowlow; halowlow & halowlow….kemuwen hateftef; hateftef nebleka hawuna Bahta.I think you got those statistic number you got it during the dip day sleep.
Lydia February 7, 2014
Bahta! i am sorry to say that but you must be blind. Still you dont think they are real Eritrean. Adetatna bikyaten wedien esi kemu tbl aleka. Bseb aytfredun ekum, amlak balu kferdekum eyu! Bamlak ktrekbwo eku. ember hzbi eritrea esi tewediom eyom, menseyatn kolun. So how can u say that. I must say you are the one who is not eritrean.Because if you were an eritrean , you would not say such rubbish thing. Mind your own country. Oky, you can not hide anything any more, the true has come out. Even about the economi, eritrean have bad economi, people there are not living a life in asmara. there is no electric. So i must say there is nothing fast growing economi in eritrea (adna)I have been there last month. Still no change! So fight for our own country deki erey.
Zufana February 8, 2014
Bahta Ede, As a blind man would say ‘we will see’. What ever medications you are on please change them asap as they not helping you at all bahta dirbay.
Negga Yosif February 7, 2014
Baheta You are crazy or one of the HGDFywyan blind supporters.
eritrawi February 7, 2014
Bahta ajaw I don’t know what you talking about eritrean if they have freedom , democracy I don’t think no one left the country .about their blood you not going to judge them . Wedi sebeyti ateababiya zibedelo
Zigheremo February 7, 2014
weyo ewala qeshi (aba Mussie) dea lomis abey tesheribu? geledo kabten zideHana aHwatna adahlilwa koynu? ember Aba Musie mis beal Selam Kidane kem’uu wen Miron (Made in Bar Lidya), Elsa Chirum hTamom Tefiuu. deHando????????
Lydia February 7, 2014
Please guys we have to pray to our heavly father GOD FROM OUR HEART
THIS MUST STOP!
Mike February 7, 2014
My first comment up at the beginning of this article, was clearly a voice of despair. Surly, people have lost leaders and blindly moving in to fire. Still, I am convinced – people are completely out of their mind and I will stop blaming Europeans for any lost of life.
I mentioned “leaders” and I am pointing out to the those who are in the opposition camp. These Opposition camps should communicate to the inside clandestine Team in Eritrea to communicate the risk and danger of crossing the Ocean/Deseret/…..
But then – i took my time and did a short check on all of these so called leaders to see their validity:
1: They are no Opposition – they are all a bunch of old farts (used up that is) who do not have anything else to do and use this as their Therapy. They are spurting around in all corners now as the going gets tough. where were they 15 years ago? 12 years ago? 10 years ago? Personally – they have no valid stand. I could write a book on these opportunistic elements.
2: I have noticed a couple new groups- one in London and the other from USA to mediate and bring all oppositions together or is it a movement – not clear what they are – What a Joke. First of all – they have sound like lost in their own message. No stand. At the best they are confused as to what their intentions are. Either define clearly who you are and what you stand for or keep out of the Changing winds. Most of you had your chance every other year. When G15 were voicing their opinion; When the young in Eritrea were thrown for life in a military service; when the wounded veterans took a stand; when young Eritreans fleeing and being raped, sold for body parts, jailed – and when Christians of all faith were deprived of their own Godly given rights! To those who were speaking from London as a changing agents – I am completely dismayed! Listen carefully to their stage explanation – They are so timid and I wonder how they made it through the struggle years (Their character was at a full display from the stage). I do not have any firsthand knowledge of them personally – but their message was confusing ( Here are some of their explanation – yes we are a movement, then they are political movement, then we are not changing the system, then they say they do not have alternative agenda, then they say they are for minimum change…..I had a headache listening to them…..) They did serve their time – I believe in struggle years – they just need to stay clear. Listen for yourself their London messy declaration – Tigrigna and English – People people – Know your audience!!!….). I think I said my two cents worth for the day
Last – The guy running Assena – Ammanuel is my guy. He himself and his team, Elsa Kidane and Chirum and those who had enough from within…. will bring that change of wind. Expose and drive to change!
God bless my beautiful Eritrea…..
Ahmed Omer February 7, 2014
Bro .all idiot shabia supporters collected lying sickness’ and they are like their master mad dog Asiyas they become happy when they have read on Eritrean people’s face sorrow and miserable life but,the change is coming soon.
Ahmed Omer February 7, 2014
Bahta ,you good boy you loved your mad master and you are happy because his income just last year was 4billion dollars .Bahta you and the mad dog Asiyas are pure Eritrean ,but please let me know from is Medhin Barrad .