New refugee rescue mission in Mediterranean

A new sea rescue operation is to be launched in May to try to reduce the number of refugees, migrants and asylum seekers killed making the treacherous crossing from Africa to Europe, medical charity Medecins sans Frontieres and the Migrant Offshore Aid Station said on Thursday.

Last year was the deadliest on record when more than 3,400 people died trying to cross the Mediterranean, said Medecins sans Frontieres.

This year, the death toll is expected to be even higher, it added.