The number of migrants arriving on the coasts of southern Europe continues to rise. The latest data from the Italian government's Ministry of the Interior show that, up to August 4th of this year, more than 90,000 migrants have arrived. This figure has doubled since last year.
Over the weekend, a shipwreck caused the death of 41 migrants. 3 of them were children. It took place near Lampedusa, an island off of Italy's southern coast.
The Italian Red Cross said the four migrants who survived the shipwreck explained that the boat full of 45 people left from a port city in Tunisia. Their four lives were saved because of lifeguards and a rescue from the Italian Coast Guard.
Hours after the wreck, Pope Francis posted a message on his social media account and expressed his grief from the news. He also challenged everyone not to remain 'indifferent' to these tragedies.
The migration crisis in Europe and the rest of the world has been of high importance to Pope Francis throughout his pontificate.
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TR: AT