2 women drown off Italian island‎

2 women drown off Italian island‎

2011-04-13 23:09:31 GMT+7 (ICT)

ROME, ITALY (BNO NEWS) -- Two women died and another person is missing after a boat that left conflict-hit Libya five days ago got into trouble on Wednesday near the Sicilian island of Pantelleria in Italy, ANSA news agency reported.

The boat, which was carrying 192 refugees, apparently run aground in shallow waters after getting lost, while an Italian coast guard vessel was trying to escort it to port. According to initial reports, it is believed the two women drowned after passengers were forced to abandon the boat and swim ashore in choppy conditions. Their bodies were found in water that was only around one-meter deep.

The rest of the passengers were rescued by Italian patrol boats. The authorities, who have detained the boat's pilot, are searching for the missing person.

Pantelleria Mayor Alberto Di Marzo said six children were aboard and a pregnant woman, none of whom are in a life-threatening condition, although the woman is in hospital.

Last week, a boat carrying 300 migrants sank off the Italian island of Lampedusa and only about 50 people were rescued. It had earlier left the Libyan coast with migrants and asylum seekers from Somalia, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Côte d'Ivoire, Chad and Sudan.

Since the beginning of February, the island of Lampedusa has been overwhelmed by the arrival of more than 20,000 migrants. The majority of them are Tunisian coming from the Tunisian port of Zarzis, Djerba and Sfax. Over the past ten days, more than 2,000 mostly African migrants and asylum seekers have landed on the island after having sailed from the Libyan coast.

The European Union on Tuesday announced an agreement to provide assistance to Italy and Malta over the mass influx of North African migrants. Under the agreement, Italy will be allowed to grant a six-month visa for the Tunisian refugees who arrived before April 4. The temporary passport will entitle its holders for free movement in the entire territory of the EU.

Italian Interior Minister Roberto Maroni complained once again about the lack of European solidarity for Italy. He added that he was hopeful that a recent agreement with the new Tunisian government on illegal immigration that includes the repatriation of migrants would stem the flow of migrants from that country. But he expressed concerns that large numbers of Africans will keep coming via Libya as conflict between Muammar Gaddafi loyalists and rebels to his 40-year rule continues.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-04-13