Survivors Fear 500 Refugees Are Dead in Mediterranean Sea Shipwreck

Up to 500 refugees may have drowned in a shipwreck in the Mediterranean Sea last week, according to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. The disaster occurred between Italy and Libya as the passengers were being transferred to a larger boat, the agency reports, after speaking with the 41 survivors, who recalled the overcrowded conditions onboard the vessel.

The UNHCR is reporting this as one of the worst tragedies involving refugees and migrants in the past year.

We will update this story as we obtain more details about this shocking tragedy.