Boat filled with migrants capsizes, bodies wash up on Libyan shore

More than 110 bodies were found along a Libyan beach after a smuggling boat of mostly African migrants sank, while a separate search-and-rescue operation across the Mediterranean saved 340 people Friday and recovered nine bodies.

The developments were the latest deadly disasters for refugees and migrants seeking a better life in Europe, and they followed the drowning of more than 1,000 people since May 25 while attempting the long and perilous journey from North Africa to southern Europe.

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As traffickers take advantage of improving weather, officials say it is impossible to know how many unseaworthy boats are being launched — and how many never reach their destination. Naval operations in the southern Mediterranean, co-ordinated by Italy, have been stretched and just respond to the disasters they do hear about.

At least 117 bodies — 75 women, six children and 36 men — washed up on a beach or were pulled from the water near the western Libyan city of Zwara Thursday and Friday, Mohammed al-Mosrati, a spokesman for Libya's Red Crescent, told The Associated Press. All but a few were from African countries. The death toll was expected to rise.

The children were aged between seven and 10, said Bahaa al-Kwash, a top media official in the Red Crescent.

Timeline unknown

As is frequently the case, authorities were uncertain when or how the people died. The coast guard found an empty boat drifting Thursday, Libyan navy Col. Ayoub Gassim told the AP, adding it was possible the vessel had capsized a day earlier.

Al-Mosrati of the Red Crescent said the bodies were not decomposed and had drowned in the past 48 hours. The empty boat might have been the one carrying the victims, but strong winds and currents can push bodies from one place to the other, he added, making it difficult to determine where the tragedy occurred.

The first signs of a disaster often are either a mayday call from a passenger or the discovery of bodies.

Gassim blamed Europe for "doing nothing but counting bodies" in trying to stop the flow of migrants from Libya.

Libya has been in chaos since the ouster and killing of its longtime autocratic ruler Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. The country has been split into rival governments, with each supported by a loose set of militias and tribes. Smuggling gangs have taken advantage of the turmoil to send waves of overcrowded boats toward Europe.

Aid officials say the last two weeks have been especially deadly because smugglers are using riskier tactics such as bigger boats that are even less-seaworthy than before.

Rescue near Crete

About 260 kilometres south of Crete, another migrant boat sank Friday, with Greek authorities saying 340 people were rescued and nine bodies recovered in an operation involving Greek helicopters, planes, patrol boats and merchant ships.

Greece's coast guard said the roughly 25-metre vessel was carrying an undetermined number of people when it was located half-sunk in international waters. It was not immediately clear where the boat was from, where it was headed or who had been aboard.  

Coast guard spokesman Nikos Lagadianos said they've heard there may have been between 400 and 500 people on board.

Most survivors  were being taken to Italy. Others were to be taken to Egypt, Turkey and Malta.

More dangerous routes 

Elinor Raikes of the International Rescue Committee said such incidents show "that desperate people will continue to attempt these treacherous journeys until adequate legal alternatives to safety are established."

Border closures, she said, "will only result in new and alternative smuggling routes, and we can expect many more of these tragedies to occur as dangerous journeys present the only option."

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The shorter Aegean Sea crossing from Turkey to the Greek islands was the preferred sea route for those heading to Europe until Balkan countries closed their borders in March and the European Union reached an agreement with Turkey to send back any newcomers. The deal has led to a dramatic decrease in the number of people landing the islands from Turkey.

Many have speculated that the EU migrant deal could prompt Syrians to try the more dangerous Libya-to-Italy route, but authorities have seen no signs yet of any big shift.