In Italy: Police arrest Libyan, Algerian traffickers over migrant shipwreck deaths

This comes at a time when many European countries are struggling to decide what to do about increases in migrants seeking asylum from risky, unstable conditions in places like Libya, Syria, and Afghanistan. The risks are heightened by the tactics of the smugglers, who charge thousands of dollars for the journey and often cram migrants into unseaworthy vessels.

Irish navy vessel LÉ Niamh had brought the rescued people there. With seas warm and calm, rescuers expressed hopes others might be alive.

Military vessels and aircraft from a multi-nation operation were searching waters off Libya, a day after the 20-meter (66-foot) long boat overturned as rescuers were approaching.

When water started seeping in, “the migrants, on the traffickers’ orders, tried desperately to eliminate it”, the police stated in a press release.

“So it just shows that they’re not being treated very well from where they’re coming”.

A helicopter and a rescue boat work on the scene of a sinking fishing boat crowded with migrants in the Mediterranean sea off Libya, Wednesday, August 5, 2015.

A packed fishing boat capsized in the Mediterranean on Wednesday, plunging the more than 600 migrants onboard into the sea.

Police said accused men, who aged from 21 to 24, charged the migrants between 1,200 dollars and 1,800 dollars the voyage.

Police said the men were formally arrested today after being questioned on Thursday.

As the Le Niamh pulled in, a little boy, peering between the metal railing of the ship, waved and gave a thumbs up sign.

At least 367 survivors were taken aboard the Le Naimh, which was approaching the dock at Palermo, Sicily, by late afternoon.

“Some of the people are torn by grief”. They include those of four children. They arrived in the Sicilian port city of Palermo on Thursday. Matias and his crewmates threw life jackets to the migrants.

“The most important thing is that people feel listened to because they are completely disorientated, they have lost their bearings in a country they do not know, so having something which reminds them of their culture, something familiar, is fundamental”.

Gil noted these fishing boats favored by smugglers have two lower decks.

“Wednesday’s shipwreck was the most tragic and poignant of all, because among the recovered bodies and missing people there were numerous children”, Cullotta told AFP.

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