The sports category has moved to a new website.
ADVERTISEMENT

Over 1,750 migrants rescued in Med as Italy, Libya ink deal

Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni and his Libyan counterpart signed a deal in Rome on tackling people smugglers in the North African country.

Migrants and refugees sit on a rubber boat before to be rescued by the ship Topaz Responder run by Maltese NGO Moas and Italian Red Cross off the Libyan coast in the Mediterranean Sea, on November 5, 2016 off the coast of Libya

On the eve of the Malta meeting, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni and his Libyan counterpart signed a deal in Rome on tackling people smugglers in the North African country.

Italy pledged money, coastguard training and equipment to assist the UN-backed government and urged EU leaders to do the same when they meet in Valletta to address the worst migrant crisis since World War II.

Closing the smuggling route from Libya to Europe is "within our reach", EU chief Donald Tusk said Thursday.

ADVERTISEMENT

But Doctors Without Borders retorted that "declaring war on people smugglers does nothing to end the wars, poverty and lack of alternatives that fuel their trade".

Italy's coast guard said around 450 people were pulled to safety on Thursday in five separate operations, while more than 1,300 others had been rescued the prior day from 13 makeshift boats.

Thursday's migrants were saved by the Aquarius, a humanitarian ship chartered by SOS Mediterranee and Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

France's Bouan, operating under Frontex, and two Italian trawlers also took part.

MSF said earlier Thursday that the first 100 migrants saved at dawn -- including seven women and 41 unaccompanied minors -- had warned them others were also adrift at sea.

ADVERTISEMENT

Picked up off the Libyan coast, the migrants -- travelling with only an old compass to help them navigate and no life jackets -- said they had set off with other people.

"Those on board tell us there are other boats needing help so the crew is searching hard and fast," MSF Sea said on Twitter.

On the Aquarius, the idea of ​​blocking migrants in Libya where they are victims of abuse and torture seems utterly inhumane.

"The Libyans shoot us like dogs," Boubacar, a 17-year-old Guinean, said according to a SOS Mediterranee spokesman.

Italy says some 4,480 people were rescued and brought to the country in January, while the UN says over 220 people died or were lost at sea.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: news@pulselive.co.ke

Recommended articles

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

ADVERTISEMENT