Migrant Shipwreck In Southern Italy Kills Dozens, Including Children

Rescue workers recover a body after a suspected migrant boat was shipwrecked off the coast of southern Italy.

At least 59 people, including 12 children, died on February 26 when a wooden sailing boat carrying migrants from Turkey to Europe crashed against rocks near the southern Italian coast, authorities said.

An Italian provincial government official told Reuters that 81 people had survived the shipwreck and 20 were hospitalized.

The incident has reopened a debate on migration in Europe and Italy, where the recently elected right-wing government's tough new laws for migrant rescue charities have drawn criticism from the United Nations and others.

Responding to the tragedy, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged a "redoubling" of efforts to reform EU asylum rules.

Von der Leyen tweeted that she was "deeply saddened by the terrible shipwreck off the coast of Calabria," adding that "the resulting loss of life of innocent migrants is a tragedy."

"All together," she said, "we must redouble our efforts on the [EU] Pact on Migration and Asylum and on the Action Plan on the Central Mediterranean."

To read the original story by Reuters, click here.