US expresses sadness over Italy boat tragedy

Expressing its sadness over sinking of a boat, carrying hundreds of migrants off the coast of Sicily, the US has called on the international community to work to prevent such catastrophes.
"The United States is saddened by reports of nearly one hundred migrants drowning in the Mediterranean when their boat capsized after a fire," State Department spokesperson Marie Harf, said.
"For the thousands of migrants who cross treacherous paths each year in search for asylum or opportunity, desperation often outweighs the risks associated with the journey itself," she said.
"The United States calls on the international community to work to prevent such catastrophes to these vulnerable migrants," Harf said.

Over 100 migrants, mostly from Africa, were reported to be dead after the boat carrying them sinked off the Italian island.
Three hundred people were reportedly feared dead yesterday, after a boat carrying asylum seekers caught fire and sank off Italian shores in the worst recent refugee disaster in the Mediterranean.