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15 Illegal Migrants Die at Sea off Algeria

African migrants at sea in the Mediterranean. (AFP)
African migrants at sea in the Mediterranean. (AFP)
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15 Illegal Migrants Die at Sea off Algeria

African migrants at sea in the Mediterranean. (AFP)
African migrants at sea in the Mediterranean. (AFP)

Fifteen migrants died on Sunday while attempting to reach Italian shores through a traditional boat, activists in east Algeria said Monday.

Hundreds of illegal migrants have drowned in the Mediterranean while making the dangerous journey to Europe.

In the latest tragedy, a boat departed Collo for Lampedusa island in Italy. It capsized during a storm, leaving 15 people dead, said the civil defense.

Seven bodies were retrieved at dawn on Monday and the coast guard is searching for survivors. A girl has been rescued from the water.

A probe has been launched in the incident.

The coast guard submits monthly reports about its interception of illegal migrant boats.

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Algeria on Jan. 19 and discussed illegal migration among other issues with officials.

Rome wants Algiers to play a stronger role in cracking down on the illegal migration.

A week before her visit, the Italian ministers of interior and foreign affairs and international cooperation discussed with Tunisian officials combating illegal migration to Italy from Tunisia.

Tunisia has also increased in popularity as a transit country for migrants heading to Italy, the InfoMigrants website said on March 16.

The Algerian cities of Annaba and Skikda are starting points for journeys to Italy and Oran and Mostaganem are the usual starting points to Spain.

The Permanent Representative of Algeria to the United Nations stated in May 2022 during a conference on illegal migration organized by the General Assembly that the Algerian security forces have dismantled more than 400 illegal migrant smuggling networks between 2020 and 2021.

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Arab World

Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.