At least 13 migrants drown trying to reach Italy

At least 13 migrants attempting to reach Italy drowned as they struggled to reach shore after their boat, with 200 people on board, ran aground off Sicily, the Ansa news agency reported. Tourists on the island's southern Sampieri beach alerted authorities as they watched the tragedy unfold. Rescue workers were combing the nearby Mediterranean waters for more victims. Two men believed to have headed the smuggling operation were arrested, Ansa reported. Each year, especially during the warm summer months, tens of thousands of people try to reach Italy or Malta's shores. They are fleeing poverty, war and persecution in Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere, often at considerable expense and risk.