UN official says large group of people died off Libya

ANKARA

A UN official said Thursday that reports are coming of a large shipwreck off the coast of Libya and a large group died at sea.

Charlie Yaxley, UN Refugee Agency global spokesman for Africa and the Mediterranean, tweeted that some 150 survivors have been saved and returned to Libya.

Yaxley said one of the survivors reports that a large group died at sea and estimates could be around 150.

"If estimated figures are correct, this is the largest loss of life on the central Med in 2019.

"A reminder, if it was needed, that there MUST be a shift in approach to the Mediterranean situation. Urgent need to save lives at sea," Yaxley concluded.