Boat with over 200 migrants capsizes off Lampedusa

(Vatican Radio) A boat carrying around 250 migrants capsized yesterday off the coast of the Italian island of Lampedusa. At least 27 people drowned. A rescue operation is underway, with reports at least 150 people have been saved. It comes just a week after more than 300 migrants drowned when a boat capsized in the same area. Lydia O’Kane reports
It’s another tragic episode in the waters off the Italian island of Lampedusa.
For the second time in a week a boat overloaded with migrants capsized as it made the dangerous journey from Africa to Europe.
Dozens of people were killed including children but many were also rescued in the joint Italian-Maltese operation. Some of the injured to ferried to Lampedusa while others were brought to Malta.
Friday's capsizing occurred 65 miles southeast of Lampedusa, but in waters where Malta has search and rescue responsibilities.
Speaking to the BBC, Malta’s Prime Minister Joseph Muscat says rules need to change.
The incident happened as recovery operations continued Friday off Lampedusa for victims of the Oct. 3 shipwreck and is the latest grim reminder of the extreme risks that migrants and asylum-seekers often take in an effort to slip into Europe by boat.