IOM calls for international investigation of Mediterranean shipwreck deaths

International Organization for Migration (IOM) has called for an international investigation of recent Mediterranean shipwrecks in light of Thursday's discovery of a sunken vessel believed to hold the remains of hundreds of victims, who drowned last month.

Italian authorities reported last night that a nautical robot probed a damaged vessel discovered at a depth of 375 meters, some 85 nautical miles northeast of Libya’s coastline. Authorities believe this is the same craft lost on April 18, with as many as 800 passengers on board, according to 28 survivors later evacuated to Italy.

The shipwreck, 25 meters in length, appears in high resolution sonar images rendered by the robot probe to have a hull damaged by a larger ship - possibly one involved in the initial rescue. There are unconfirmed reports that at least one body was discovered during the probe, and that others may be visible inside the sunken vessel.

"This news confirms our worst fears of how ruthlessly human smugglers behave. If it is true that hundreds of migrants seeking to reach Europe were trapped below decks on a hopelessly unseaworthy vessel, this can only be described as murder, which warrants an international investigation", said IOM Director General William Lacy Swing.