Migrants perish as ‘EU turns its back’

An unprecedented wave of migrants has headed for the European Union’s promised shores over the past week, with 10,000 people making the trip. Hundreds — nobody knows how many — have disappeared into the waters of the Mediterranean, including 41 migrants reported dead yesterday after a shipwreck.

Amid the scenes of desperation, the 28 nations from the world’s wealthiest trade bloc have largely looked on. No EU country has pledged a single ship, a single plane, a single cent to the rescue efforts. The EU has no relevant legislation in the works, and no emergency meeting on the agenda.

The EU says it will unveil a migration agenda for discussions by the end of May and draw up a report by Christmas.