An overcrowded boat carrying about 500 migrants toppled across the Mediterranean sending about 200 people over board. MLN has it on report from Italy’s coastguard that at least 34 migrants, some of them young children, have drowned after falling into the sea off the Libyan coast.
This has triggered a frantic ongoing operation to search for survivors. One report suggested a private humanitarian group, Moas, had begun lifting people from the crowded wooden boat about 30 nautical miles off Libya, when many fell into the water. First responder analysis shows that they may have been knocked off balance by a wave.
Chris Catrambone of Moas tweeted pictures from the scene and said bodies, including those of toddlers were still in the water.
The Italian coastguard directed other boats to the scene – including Italian, British and Spanish navy vessels – while a helicopter and military aircraft dropped lifeboats, said AFP.
Meanwhile, the Italian coastguard said operations in the area had rescued a total of 1,800 people from 10 separate vessels on Wednesday
