Hundreds of refugees are believed to have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea trying to reach Europe, one year after a similar tragedy, Italy's president confirmed yesterday.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella said during a prize ceremony in Rome on Monday that Europe faced "yet another tragedy in the Mediterranean in which, it seems, several hundred people have died." His comments are the first official remarks on a recent incident that had previously been denied by Italian authorities.
Italy's foreign minister also confirmed the tragedy, but said that details were still scarce.
"What is sure is that we are again with a tragedy in the Mediterranean, exactly one year after the tragedy we had . . . in Libyan waters," Italian foreign minister Paolo Gentiloni was quoted as saying by Reuters.
In April 2015, more than 700 refugees died in a similar incident when their boat sank on the way to Italy. The incident caused an international outcry and may have helped to convince European politicians like German Chancellor Angela Merkel to adopt a more refugee-friendly policy approach last year.