UNHCR HIGHLIGHTS DANGERS FACING SYRIANS IN TRANSIT, URGES COUNTRIES TO KEEP BORDERS OPEN
GENEVA, October 18 (UNHCR) – With growing numbers of Syrians seeking safety in Europe, the UN refugee agency said on Friday it is concerned about severe difficulties these displaced people face during their passage and at borders. This includes the risk of drowning at sea and incidents where Syrians have been dangerously hindered in their journeys.
UNHCR chief spokesperson, Melissa Fleming, cited the case of a boat carrying between 400 and 500 Syrians and Palestinians that sank in the Mediterranean last Friday. Only 200 people have been rescued. „We are disturbed that the cause of the tragedy could well be attributed to shots that were fired after the boat left Libya, injuring four passengers and damaging the hull,“ Fleming said in Geneva.