Fleeing the conflict in Libya has become almost as dangerous as staying in the country, as hundreds of desperate immigrants drowned in the last few weeks trying to cross the Mediterranean aboard rickety boats. Aid agencies say that witnesses reported that a ship with between 500 and 600 people on board sank last week near the Libyan capital, Tripoli.
Many bodies were seen floating in the water, but it was unclear how many were drowned. Before the accident some 800 people had been missing since March 25 while trying to escape from Libya, according to the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Most came from sub-Saharan Africa. "The tragic truth is that probably never know how many people drowned in this latest tragedy," said Jean-Philippe Chauzy, spokesman for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Tuesday.
"That's the reality of the crisis in Libya." UNHCR also said that the total number was unknown, while other UN officials could not give a precise number killed in the fighting in Libya, although it is believed that amounts to thousands. The media have quoted Gene Cretz, the U.S. ambassador to Libya until the revolt began, bringing the death toll at between 10 000 and 30 000, but it is impossible to know precisely.
Others estimate that the dead following the fighting are a few thousand. However, future deaths could be prevented. "We reiterate our appeal to the European states to urgently put in place more reliable and efficient mechanisms for rescue in the Mediterranean," said UNHCR spokeswoman Melissa Fleming told reporters in Geneva.
"We have been in contact with officials of NATO () We have asked that at least be aware that there will be more and more ships at risk," he said. The Coast Guard Italy and Malta can not bear the burden alone, said Fleming. Many who managed to cross the Mediterranean arrived at the small Italian island of Lampedusa or nearby Linosa.
The IOM said that more than 10 000 people landed on the islands since the riots began in North Africa earlier this year, including about two thousand only last weekend. Many were bewildered and confused, including a Somali woman who managed to swim back to the Libyan coast after escaping the sinking of late last week.
The woman lost her baby for four months and then was taken to another boat. Some immigrants said Libyan soldiers forced them to ship, firing into the air. Others said that although they had not had to pay up to the ships, had been stripped of their possessions. NATO on Monday denied media reports that its units had not helped a boat carrying African migrants, which led to the deaths of 62 people hungry and thirsty. 
Many bodies were seen floating in the water, but it was unclear how many were drowned. Before the accident some 800 people had been missing since March 25 while trying to escape from Libya, according to the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Most came from sub-Saharan Africa. "The tragic truth is that probably never know how many people drowned in this latest tragedy," said Jean-Philippe Chauzy, spokesman for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Tuesday.
"That's the reality of the crisis in Libya." UNHCR also said that the total number was unknown, while other UN officials could not give a precise number killed in the fighting in Libya, although it is believed that amounts to thousands. The media have quoted Gene Cretz, the U.S. ambassador to Libya until the revolt began, bringing the death toll at between 10 000 and 30 000, but it is impossible to know precisely.
Others estimate that the dead following the fighting are a few thousand. However, future deaths could be prevented. "We reiterate our appeal to the European states to urgently put in place more reliable and efficient mechanisms for rescue in the Mediterranean," said UNHCR spokeswoman Melissa Fleming told reporters in Geneva.
"We have been in contact with officials of NATO () We have asked that at least be aware that there will be more and more ships at risk," he said. The Coast Guard Italy and Malta can not bear the burden alone, said Fleming. Many who managed to cross the Mediterranean arrived at the small Italian island of Lampedusa or nearby Linosa.
The IOM said that more than 10 000 people landed on the islands since the riots began in North Africa earlier this year, including about two thousand only last weekend. Many were bewildered and confused, including a Somali woman who managed to swim back to the Libyan coast after escaping the sinking of late last week.
The woman lost her baby for four months and then was taken to another boat. Some immigrants said Libyan soldiers forced them to ship, firing into the air. Others said that although they had not had to pay up to the ships, had been stripped of their possessions. NATO on Monday denied media reports that its units had not helped a boat carrying African migrants, which led to the deaths of 62 people hungry and thirsty.
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