Similar emergencies were reported Friday across the Mediterranean, as governments from Europe and North Africa launched immediate rescue operations. Read moreMore than 700 migrants drown in the Mediterranean in MayU.N. says 500 migrants drown in the Mediterranean in AprilToday's coverage from Post correspondents around the world The danger posed by the central Mediterranean route is hardly news to leaders in Europe or North Africa. Farther south, the Egyptian army responded to a distress call from a smuggling boat carrying an unknown number of migrants toward Europe. The rationale typically stems from a desire to protect their countries from becoming holding pens for migrants who have no claim to E.U.

Source: Washington Post June 03, 2016 09:32 UTC