Migrants' bodies brought ashore as EU proposes doubling rescue effort
The European Union proposed doubling the size of its Mediterranean search and rescue operations on April 20, as the first bodies were brought ashore of as many as 900 people feared killed in the deadliest known shipwreck of migrants trying to reach Europe.
Three other rescue operations were underway on April 20 to save hundreds more migrants in peril on overloaded vessels making the journey from the north coast of Africa to Europe.
Italian prosecutors also announced they had arrested 24 suspected migrant traffickers although it was not clear whether they had any connection with the latest disaster.
The mass deaths have caused shock in Europe, where a decision to scale back naval operations last year seems to have increased the risks for migrants without reducing their numbers.
"The situation in the Mediterranean is dramatic. It cannot continue like this," said European Council President Donald Tusk, calling an extraordinary summit of EU leaders for April 23 to plan how to stop human traffickers and boost rescue efforts.