GENEVA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- At least 112 people are believed to have died in separate tragedies at the weekend in the Mediterranean Sea and the situation for migrants is worsening, Francesco Rocca, president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), said Tuesday.
"Over the past weekend, in just a few hours, more than 110 people died in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coasts of Tunisia and Turkey. We cannot keep silent as the massacre on the sea continues," said Rocca in a statement.
He cited the International Organization for Migration (IOM) saying that at least 112 people are believed to have drowned when their boat capsized off the eastern coast of Tunisia, while nine people, including children, drowned off Turkey.
"While we appreciate all the efforts being made at the United Nations in New York during the negotiations for the global compact for migration, the situation on the ground is not changing. On the contrary, it is worsening," said Rocca.
He noted that this week, UN Member States are meeting in New York for the fifth round of negotiations on the global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration. "IFRC is calling on governments to prioritize efforts to save lives and protect dignity," said Rocca.
