UN: 300 Migrants Die Trying to Reach Italy

Big increase in number of migrants dying in Mediterranean * Italy ended full-scale rescue operation last year * Pope Francis calls for solidarity with migrants By Steve Scherer ROME, Feb 11 - More than 300 people probably died this week after attempting to reach Italy from Libya on four separate boats in stormy weather, the U.N. refugee agency said on Wednesday after speaking to a handful of survivors. The sharp increase in the number of migrants dying while trying to cross the Mediterranean has reignited criticism of Italy's decision last year to end a full-scale search-and-rescue mission, known as Mare Nostrum, in order to save costs.

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