Six died of hunger and thirst on a boat, two are children

Six Syrian refugees, including

, died on a boat allegedly "of hunger and thirst".

This was stated by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), underlining that the Agency is assisting the

, many of whom "have extremely serious conditions, including burns".

"It is unacceptable - adds Cardoletti - Strengthening sea rescue is the only way to avoid these tragedies".

The victims and survivors, UNHCR explains, had been on a boat adrift for several days in the central Mediterranean, before an Italian Coast Guard ship arrived to rescue them.

In addition to the two children, a twelve-year-old and three women would have died, including the grandmother and mother of some children who survived.

"

, expressing condolences to the families of the victims and recalling that in 2022 more than 1,200 people died and are missing in an attempt to cross the Mediterranean and reach Europe .

"This unacceptable loss of life and the fact that the group spent several days adrift before being rescued - says the UNHCR representative in Italy Claudia Cardoletti - Rescue at sea is a humanitarian imperative firmly rooted in international law" but "At the same time, more needs to be done to broaden safe and regular channels and create new ones to ensure that people fleeing war and persecution can find safety without further risking their lives."