60 migrants die in the Mediterranean

International Desk: Tragedy happened again in the Mediterranean while crossing the path of the so-called dream. On the way from Libya to Europe, the engine of the rubber boat broke down and at least 60 migrants died of hunger and thirst. This information was reported by the international news agency AP on Thursday (March 14).

The survivors of the boat rescued in the central Mediterranean said they had set off from Libya more than a week ago, the report said. Humanitarian rescue group SOS Mediterranean said the group rescued 25 people in a very vulnerable condition on Wednesday in coordination with the Italian coast guard.

The two unconscious men were taken by helicopter to Sicily. But later they died. The rescued migrants left Libya seven days ago, SOS Mediterranean X said in a message. Three days later their boat's engine broke down. They floated for several days without water and food. Survivors said at least 60 people, including women and a child, died in the journey. They all died of hunger and thirst. No one drowned. They also said that many have gone missing. All those rescued were men. 12 of them are minors.

They are all natives of Senegal, Mali and Gambia. The Italian Coast Guard was not immediately available for comment. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said it was deeply concerned about the incident. The agency also said in the X message that urgent steps are needed to strengthen maritime patrols and prevent disasters.

The central Mediterranean has become the world's deadliest migration route. The UN's International Organization for Migration says 227 people have died on the dangerous Central Mediterranean route as of March 11 this year.

It does not include the number of newly reported missing and possible dead. A total of 279 people have died in the Mediterranean since January 1. A total of 19,562 people arrived in Italy by sea during this period.