Seven irregular migrants missing in Mediterranean, Reports say
At least seven irregular migrants have gone missing after falling into the Mediterranean Sea during a perilous crossing from Libya, according to media reports on Wednesday.
Survivors rescued by the NGO-operated vessel Aurora Sar told Italian news agency ANSA that two migrants fell into the water on the first night of the journey, which began late on Aug. 27 from Zuara, Libya. Five more were reported missing later.
The Aurora Sar, carrying migrants from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Malaysia, and Sudan, arrived at the Italian island of Lampedusa early Wednesday. Survivors said each migrant had paid €800 ($930) for the dangerous voyage.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), at least 816 irregular migrants have gone missing in the central Mediterranean so far this year, making it the deadliest migratory route in the world.
