The pilgrimage to a better life met a horrifying end when a fishing boat which was packed with migrants recently capsized in Libyan waters in the Mediterranean near Italy. It is thought that as many as 900 asylum seekers lost their lives in one of the worst migrant or refugee disasters in the Mediterranean or indeed in the world. This horrendous tragedy on seas between Malta and Italy is a grim reminder of the plight of refugees who risk their lives in the hope of finding greener pastures for themselves and their families. While it is tragic that so many people have lost their lives trying to reach the shores of Italy, this disaster also underscores how Libya, reeling under the influence of violence and political turmoil, has become a haven and focal point for human smuggling along the African coastline. To date, the death toll in the Mediterranean is thought to have already passed 1,500 victims — a dramatic increase from the same period last year. Migrants are often sent out to sea in overcrowded and unseaworthy boats with insufficient engine power and without enough fuel for the dangerous journey. These poor migrants left their homes due to a lack of opportunity for growth and development in their countries only to end their lives in a watery grave. The world at large and especially the United Nations and the European Union must take action to end this human trafficking. The countries of the Middle East also have a prominent role to play in putting a stop to this human tragedy and in providing relief to people in distress. Stern action must be taken against the traffickers who exploit people desperate to find a better life. Ramesh G. Jethwani Bangalore, India
