Spanish PM asks for EU action to prevent further tragedies in Mediterranean

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has asked the European Union to take more action in order to prevent further tragedies as immigrants attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea from Africa to Europe.

Speaking at a meeting of his Popular Party in the city of Alicante on Sunday, Rajoy was referring to the loss of hundreds of lives as a boat carrying between 700 and 950 would-be immigrants capsized between the coast of Libya and the Italian island of Lampedusa.

EU interior ministers and senior police officials will hold an emergency meeting in Luxembourg to discuss the tragedy and what action to take to stem the continual flow of tragedies.

Spain is one of the main destinations for migrants from Africa and the beginning of the warm weather this time of year means the start of the "migrant season" as increasing numbers of desperate people attempt the dangerous sea crossing in flimsy boats.

"We have suffered similar tragedies in our country and we know that there is no country in the world, no matter how strong or how many resources it has, that can deal with these events on their own," said Rajoy.

Around 40,000 migrants were rescued from the Mediterranean in 2014 by a combination of rescue services, coastguards and commercial vessels, but studies also concluded that at least 3,000 lives were lost.

"The response that has to come from Europe and words alone are not enough anymore. We have to act and we Europeans risk damaging our credibility if we are not able to prevent these tragedies which are happening every day," said Rajoy.

The Spanish PM added that illegal immigration was "one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century," and said the problem was "not new." Endit