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Holidaymakers in Malta Witness Tragedy at Sea
Holidaymakers in Malta and surrounding areas have been horrified as bodies of would-be immigrants are pulled out of the sea. It's an unfortunate situation as migrants from North Africa attempt to brave the rough sea for a chance at a better life in Europe. Despite the news that others before them haven't made it, they still choose to risk their lives on a journey over the sea in search of a new home.
The Journey from North Africa to Europe
The journey from Africa to Europe isn't an easy trek. The conditions these migrants travel in are cause for alarm. Makeshift boats are overloaded with people seeking jobs and safety. They brave the unknown with hope of a better life, but the majority die before they ever reach land. Nearly 10,000 people have died at sea over the last 20 years as they tried to escape Africa. This includes adults and children alike.
These would-be immigrants make poor decisions in their desperation. They pay smugglers to board them onto tiny boats with no guarantee for their safety. They use flimsy boats, go days without food or water and are exposed to the blazing sun for long periods of time. They are reported to have dehydration and hypothermia by the time they arrive. If they don't die from the harsh conditions of the trip itself, the weather presents a problem. Unexpected storms and other poor weather conditions are often the cause of overturned boats.
Worse yet is when the group loses one of its own along the way. Bodies are dumped overboard, not only to allow more room for the other passengers, but also to avoid the smell from the deteriorating bodies. Some people go missing entirely and their bodies are never found.
Holidaymakers Find Bodies in the Sea
Holidaymakers sometimes find these migrants in the water. Fishermen have pulled living people out of the water, while others have discovered dead bodies floating along. Travelers are just as alarmed to find survivors in the water as they are to find dead bodies floating by. Survivors who make the trip are in poor health and are visibly upset.
Malta's Plan for Dealing with Immigrants
Malta depends on tourism for their economy. They need holidaymakers to continue booking trips there. It's important for Malta to have some control over the immigrants arriving from North Africa, both dead and alive. North Africans who choose to make this journey present a problem for the Maltese whether they make it or not.
Illegal immigrants need jobs and homes. They need help building new lives. Those who don't survive the trip also pose problems. Bodies are rescued from the sea repeatedly. There is a strong concern not only for the health and safety of the Africans seeking a new home, but also over protecting Malta's image to the public.
It has been argued that immigrants are wrongly detained for 18 months once they arrive in Malta. Some think that the Africans have suffered from poor living conditions and a life-threatening trip so they should be allowed their freedom. While this may be the humane thing to do, it also encourages others to attempt to cross the sea for a better life. A long-term plan to reduce the fatalities on the Mediterranean is to closely monitor the waters for these small boats and provide more aid to North Africa to improve their living situations at home.
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