Migrant Crisis: Refugees charged up to €1,600 to board boat

Hundreds of desperate refugees were charged between $1,200 and $1,800 (€1,100-€1,650) for a place on board the boat which capsized in the Mediterranean.

The vessel, believed to be carrying some 650 men, women, and children, capsized about 10km off the Libyan coast on Wednesday.

Although the LÉ Niamh rescued 367 people, hundreds more are believed to have drowned — trapped below the deck of the vessel and unable to escape. A total of 26 bodies were recovered.