Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela as well as representatives of the AFM and the Italian Military Mission who were involved in migrant rescue operations this morning laid flowers at Mater Dei Hospital morgue, where the bodies of 24 migrants lie.

In brief comments, Mr Abela said that a meeting of EU leaders tomorrow would decide on concrete action to stop migrant tragedies in the Mediterranean. 

He said the main aim of any mission should be to save lives. However action was also needed to stop the human traffickers.

Dr Abela also referred to proposals by the European Commission and said that burden sharing should not on a voluntary basis as suggested in the 10-point plan. 

The migrants will be buried tomorrow in an inter-faith service in which the EU Commissioner for Migration and Italian Home Affairs Minister Angelino Alfano will be present. The service will be held on the helicopter pad of Mater Dei Hospital. The service will be presided by the Bishop of Gozo and the Imam (The Archbishop is currently in Rome).

Burial will take place in the common areas of Addolorata Cemetery.  

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