Rescue boat keeps migrant plight in spotlight as Mediterranean arrivals soar
Members of Italian Guardia Costiera prepare to bring on board the migrants of a wooden boat near the island of Lampedusa, in the Mediterranean Sea, September 1, 2021. REUTERS/Juan Medina
A pregnant woman reacts on board a wooden boat as they waiting for the Italian Guardia Costiera near the island of Lampedusa, in the Mediterranean Sea, September 1, 2021. REUTERS/Juan Medina
A boy cries on board a wooden boat as they waiting for the Italian Guardia Costiera near the island of Lampedusa, in the Mediterranean Sea, September 1, 2021. REUTERS/Juan Medina
Migrants on a wooden boat wait for the Italian Guardia Costiera near the island of Lampedusa, in the Mediterranean Sea, September 1, 2021. REUTERS/Juan Medina
Migrants on a wooden boat wait for the Italian Guardia Costiera near the island of Lampedusa, in the Mediterranean Sea, September 1, 2021. REUTERS/Juan Medina
ON BOARD THE ASTRAL, OFF LAMPEDUSA, Sept 1 (Reuters) – A wooden dinghy carrying 19 African migrants is so heavily laden it is almost taking in water over its sides in the open sea off the Italian island of Lampedusa. The two babies onboard are crying.