170 people reportedly missing in latest shipwrecks on Mediterranean

The UN refugee agency UNHCR on Saturday evening issued a press statement saying that according to emerging reports, an estimated 170 people had either died or gone missing in two latest shipwrecks on the Mediterranean Sea.

UNHCR cited "recent information from NGO sources" as saying that some 53 people have died on the Alboran Sea, western Mediterranean, but it did not mention the exact time of the accident.

"One survivor is understood to have been rescued by a passing fishing boat after being stranded for more than 24 hours at sea and is receiving medical treatment in Morocco. Moroccan and Spanish rescue vessels have been searching for the boat and survivors for several days to no avail," the UNHCR statement said.

According to the statement, the Italian Navy are also reporting an additional shipwreck on the central Mediterranean, in which 117 people are currently dead or missing.

In the second accident three survivors were taken for treatment on Lampedusa, and the boat was departed from Libya, the statement said.

However, UNHCR said that it has been unable to independently verify the death tolls for both shipwrecks.

"The tragedy of the Mediterranean cannot be allowed to continue, we cannot turn a blind eye to the high numbers of people dying on Europe's doorstep," said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, on Saturday.

"No effort should be spared, or prevented, from saving lives in distress at sea," he added.

According to the latest UN figures, in 2018, 2,262 people lost their lives attempting to reach Europe via the Mediterranean Sea.