At least 9 die, 22 rescued from migrant boat off Sicily

Monday, 7 October 2019 15:30

A migrant boat capsized off the coast of Sicily's Lampedusa island, killing at least nine people.

Italy's coastguard on Monday said 22 people have been rescued and search operations are underway for other survivors.

According to the UN migration agency said the boat, carrying some 50 people, had set sail from Tunisia.

"This highlights once again that urgent action is needed to address the situation in the Mediterranean," said Charlie Yaxley, a spokesperson for the United Nations' refugee agency.

"More than 1,000 people have died on the Mediterranean this year alone, most on the route from Libya to Europe."

More from International News

US Senate passes Trump's tax-cut, spending bill; sends to House

The Republican-controlled US Senate passed President Donald Trump's tax and spending bill on Tuesday, signing off on a massive package that would enshrine many of his top domestic priorities into law while adding $3.3 trillion to the national debt.
France shuts schools as heatwave grips Europe

More than a thousand schools were closed in France on Tuesday and the top floor of the Eiffel Tower was shut to tourists as a severe heatwave continued to grip Europe, triggering health alerts across the region.
Blow for Thailand's government as court suspends PM from duty

Thailand's Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from duty pending a case seeking her dismissal, in a major setback for a government under fire on multiple fronts and fighting for its survival.
Trump signs order lifting sanctions on Syria, White House says

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order terminating a US sanctions programme on Syria, allowing an end to the country's isolation from the international financial system and building on Washington's pledge to help it rebuild after a devastating civil war.