Week1: Mediterranean Sea, Migrant Shipwreck

Rescuers trying to save migrants after Mediterranean shipwreck

By Livia Borghese and Laura Smith-Spark, CNN

Updated 1733 GMT (0033 HKT) August 5, 2015 |

Rescuers are trying to save hundreds of migrants Wednesday after their fishing boat capsized off the coast of Libya, Cmdr. Filippo Marini of the Italian Coast Guard, which is coordinating the rescue operation, told CNN.

Ireland's Minister for Defense Simon Coveney said an Irish naval vessel is also involved in the rescue of approximately 600 people who were aboard the capsized boat. At least 165 people have been pulled from the water alive, but 17 bodies have also been recovered, he said, warning that the death toll is expected to rise.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have lost their lives, the survivors and the rescuers for whom this is an extremely difficult operation," Coveney said.

Two vessels operated by the medical aid group Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders) are also assisting near the shipwreck, just 15 miles off the Libyan coast. The medical group confirmed that there are "many" deaths at the scene but could not say how many.

The ships were sent to the scene after a distress call from the fishing boat, Marini said.

The boat crammed with migrants capsized as soon as the Irish vessel arrived, he said, likely because all those on board moved to one side at the same time. Rubber boats were immediately put into the water to save people as the boat went down.

MSF spokeswoman Sibylle Berger gave a different figure for how many people may have been aboard the vessel, saying it could have been as many as 700.

More ships, including Italian navy and coast guard vessels, are heading to the area to help in the rescue effort, Marini said.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/05/europe/mediterranean-migrants-shipwreck/

Structure of the Lead:

    WHO - Migrant

    WHEN - 2015

    WHAT - Rescuers trying to save migrants after Mediterranean shipwreck

    WHY - Not given

    WHERE - In Mediterranean Sea

    HOW - Not given

Keywords:

1.capsize(v.) 翻覆; 傾覆

2.coordinate(v.) 一致; 協調

3.approximately(adv.) 大概

4.toll(n.) 傷害人數

5.distress(n.) 不幸; 悲痛