Lampedusa Boat Tragedy a Crime Against Eritrea, Says Official

An adviser to Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki says human traffickers are to blame for the recent boat tragedy that left over 300 African migrants dead off Italy’s coast. Authorities say about 155 survived the accident which occurred about half a mile off the Sicilian island of Lampedusa. Presidential adviser Yemane Ghebreab called the incident “a crime against Eritreans, especially Eritrean youth.” “This is the work of human traffickers who benefit from this, and there are powerful forces behind them,” said Ghebreab. “It’s an ongoing war which is being waged against Eritrea as part of the sanctions that have been imposed...

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Tiny coffin of Lampedusa boat tragedy victim with a teddy on the lid among dozens buried in anonymous vaults despite Italian Prime Minister’s promise of a state funeral

Unknown child was among over 300 asylum-seekers who drowned when their boat caught fire and sank  Dozens of coffins buried in vaults in Sicily despite Italian Prime Minister's promise to hold a state funeral for the victims  A tiny coffin with a teddy bear fixed poignantly to the lid is lowered into an anonymous vault - the final resting place for one of the youngest victims of Italy's worst ever refugee tragedy. The unknown child was among more than 300 Eritrean and Somali asylum-seekers who drowned when their fishing boat caught fire and sank last just half a mile from the island of Lampedusa on October 3. The coffin was one of...

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