The bodies of 74 migrants are found by volunteers off the coast of northern Libya
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The bodies of 74 migrants have been found off the coast of northern Libya, and the death toll is expected to rise.
At least 74 bodies of African migrants have washed ashore in western Libya, the Libyan Red Crescent says https://t.co/rcS3neAkvv pic.twitter.com/9Azspu4cG8
— Yahoo News (@YahooNews) February 21, 2017
Volunteers from the Libyan Red Crescent recovered the bodies from the sea, while a torn rubber dinghy, without an engine, was found nearby.
It is believed the migrants had been attempting to reach Europe when their boat got into difficulties.
More bodies have been spotted in the sea near Zawiya but aid workers have not yet been able to recover them.
Elsewhere, 630 migrants were rescued in the central Mediterranean in two rescue operations coordinated by the Operational Centre of the Coast Guard.
In Rome, Pope Francis called for a radical change of attitude towards immigrants during a conference on migration.
He said they should be welcomed with dignity, while denouncing the “populist rhetoric“ he said was fuelling fear and selfishness in rich countries.
Populism fueling self-centered rejection of migrants, pope says https://t.co/uxC0qdKOTI pic.twitter.com/DpcDWKLsSs
— Catholic News Svc (@CatholicNewsSvc) February 21, 2017