20 migrants perish after overloaded vessel capsized off Libya’s coast

Coastguards off the Libyan coast had a torrid time recovering bodies of drowned migrants who perished after their overloaded vessel capsized when their boat was knocked off balance by a wave.

According to Italian coastguards, at least 20 refugees, including young children, died when about 200 people fell off the overloaded vessel that was just 20 nautical miles (37km) from Libya when the accident occurred.

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“It’s not a scene from a horror movie, it’s a real-life tragedy that is taking place today at the gates of Europe,” said Chris Catrambone, MOAS co-founder, who was aboard the Phoenix.

With the help of an Italian coastguard ship and several commercial ships, rescuers raced to drag as many people as possible from the water, while a helicopter and military aircraft dropped lifeboats.

 

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