130 migrants missing in the Mediterranean: a "shame" for Pope Francis
The NGO SOS Méditerranée had indicated on April 22, 2021 that it had spotted a dozen bodies off the coast of Libya near an overturned inflatable boat which had been reported in distress with around 130 people on board.
Via REUTERS - FLAVIO GASPERINI / SOS MEDITERRANE
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Pope Francis described Sunday April 25 as "shame" the fate of 130 migrants missing since Thursday following a shipwreck in the Mediterranean, and said he was "
very saddened by this tragedy
".
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Pope Francis described Sunday April 25 as "shame" the fate of 130 migrants missing since Thursday following a shipwreck in the Mediterranean.
“
I confess to you that I am very saddened by the tragedy which has once again occurred in recent days in the Mediterranean.
Brothers and sisters, let us all wonder about this umpteenth tragedy.
It's a moment of shame,
”Pope Francis told the faithful after prayer Regina Coeli in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican.
They have "
two whole days in vain begged for help
"
“
One hundred and thirty migrants died at sea, these are people, these are human lives who have for two whole days begged for help in vain.
Help that has not arrived,
”continued Pope Francis.
“
Pray for these brothers and sisters and for so many others who continue to die on these dramatic journeys.
Pray also for those who can help but prefer to look the other way.
Let us pray in silence for them,
”concluded the Pope.
I am very saddened by the tragedy that took place once in the Mediterranean.
130 migrants died at sea. These are people, these are human lives.
Pray for these brothers and sisters, and for so many others who continue to die on these dramatic journeys.
- Pope Francis (@Pontifex_fr) April 25, 2021
The NGO SOS Méditerranée had indicated Thursday, April 22 having spotted a dozen bodies off Libya near an overturned inflatable boat which had been reported in distress with about 130 people on board.
Humanitarian NGOs accuse the countries of the European Union not only of not wanting to rescue migrants in danger in the Mediterranean, but also of hampering their own rescue activities.
(2/2) "Out, somewhere in those same waves, a rubber dinghy carrying 120 people. Or 100 or 130. We'll never know, because all these people are dead."
Read Alessandro's full testimony herehttps: //t.co/CmBHS1HtUA
- SOS MEDITERRANEE France (@SOSMedFrance) April 23, 2021
According to figures from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) arrested on April 21, at least 453 migrants have died since January 1, 2021 in the Mediterranean, mainly on this central route from Tunisia and Libya.
(with AFP)
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