“Everyone seeking a better life deserves protection and respect,” UN Secretary General António Guterres speak. “We need safe, legal routes for migrants and refugees.”
The United Nations refugee agency (UNCHR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in a joint statement, expressed condolences to the victims and calling on countries to increase their resources and capabilities to effectively meet their responsibilities.
The death toll may increase
As of Sunday night, 45 corpses has been recovered, but search and rescue teams are continuing fear the death toll could be worse, the agency said. Reports said an infant and young child were among the dead.
The report indicates that at least 170 people were on board small ships, including children and families. The United Nations refugee agency says information received suggests there may be about 80 people survived. Some of them had to be hospitalized for treatment.
‘Unacceptable horror’
“That is It is unacceptable to witness such terrible thingsChiara Cardoletti, UNHCR’s representative in Italy, the Holy See and San Marino, said the families and children entrusted to boats do not deserve it. “This tragedy forces us to act and act now.”
The boat has left Turkey, with many passengers come from Afghanistan and Pakistan. By 2022, people from Turkey make up about 15% of all arrivals in Italy by sea, UNHCR said, noting that nearly half of those arriving this route are people fleeing Afghanistan.
Rescue capacity ‘lack of’
The agencies said European Union mechanisms for rescue operations were “very much needed”.
To avoid tragedies like this, Ms. Cardoletti said, “more than ever it is necessary to increase rescue capacityIt’s still not enough.”
Laurence Hart, Director of the IOM’s Office for Mediterranean Coordination, said the shipwreck showed the phenomenon Migration by sea must be solved by all European countries.
A new approach is needed
This request humanitarian assistance and passed an approach that considers multiple drivers that is make people run awayshe speaks.
The IOM Missing Migrants Project reports that at least 220 peopleincluding those who were killed on Sunday, yes dead or missing together Center Mediterranean route in 2023.
