Rescue boat keeps migrant plight in spotlight as Mediterranean arrivals soar


  • World
  • Wednesday, 01 Sep 2021

A pregnant woman reacts on board a wooden boat as they waiting for the Italian Guardia Costiera near the island of Lampedusa, in the Mediterranean Sea, September 1, 2021. REUTERS/Juan Medina

ON BOARD THE ASTRAL, OFF LAMPEDUSA (Reuters) - A wooden dinghy carrying 19 African migrants is so heavily laden it is almost taking in water over its sides in the open sea off the Italian island of Lampedusa. The two babies onboard are crying.

The dinghy, stuck in the Mediterranean with its outboard engine apparently broken, is just one of the boats helped by volunteers from the Spanish charity Proactiva Open Arms in the past days amid a surge in arrivals to Lampedusa.

Save 30% OFF The Star Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

RM 9.73/month

Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter.

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.63/month

Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

Two Afghan teenagers jailed for raping girl in England
Chinese, African experts urge clean energy to advance climate action
Xinhua Commentary: Successful legislature election heralds brighter future for Hong Kong
Canal-city universities unite to tackle global challenges
Congo President Tshisekedi accuses Rwanda of violating peace deal
Feature: Chinese experts bring relief to medicine-starved South Sudan communities
Turkey to guarantee flow of Russian gas to Hungary, Orban says
Dutch centre and centre-right parties to start talks on forming government
A struggle to survive in Ukraine's east, with Russia at the gates
5th LD Writethru: Ocean discharge of Fukushima nuclear-tainted wastewater halted after 7.6-magnitude quake hits northeastern Japan

Others Also Read