11 February 2015

 “We are appalled by the news of over 300 people feared dead in the Mediterranean.

Sadly, our call has to be the same we voiced in 2013 when more than 300 people died off Lampedusa:

People fleeing war and persecution are undertaking these life-threatening journeys because there are no safe and legal means for them to reach Europe. Refugees will continue putting their lives at risk as long as they don’t have another way to reach a safe place.

If a well-resourced European search and rescue initiative is not put in place, more people will die in their attempt to reach our shores.

It’s a question of life or death and the EU needs to engage now to save lives”, stated ECRE’s Secretary General Michael Diedring.

For more information please contact:

Ana Fontal
Senior Press & Public Information Officer
Tel. +32 2 212 08 12 – Mobile +32 (0)474 340 525