BRIGHTON beach was covered by hundreds of protesters in body bags yesterday, highlighting the government’s “shameful” failure to save 800 migrants who drowned in the Mediterranean Sea.

Two hundred Amnesty International campaigners lined up for a stark remembrance of the thousands who have died attempting to cross treacherous waters in overcrowded, easily capsized fishing boats.

A white flower wreath and banner with the hashtag #DontLetThemDrown were displayed after more than 800 refugees, mainly from Africa and the Middle East, died while sailing to Italy from Libya on Saturday.

Only 28 survivors have been found so far.

Amnesty UK director Kate Allen said: “Until now, the government’s response has been shameful but finally they have been woken up to the need to act.”

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady called on the EU yesterday to re-establish search-and-rescue operation Mare Nostrum, which saved at least 150,000 people from drowning in a 100-mile area around Italy before it ended last year.

The coalition refused to back any replacement scheme as the Foreign Office claimed that saving drowning migrants would encourage others to try and cross.

Ms O’Grady said: “The huge number of migrants who have lost their lives in the Mediterranean this year alone must move EU leaders to immediately resume the Mare Nostrum search-and-rescue operation.

“It is inexcusable that this operation which could have prevented the deaths of migrants at sea was stopped last year.”

David Cameron is set to attend an emergency summit today to discuss the crisis with other EU leaders in Brussels.
The European Council’s 10-point plan includes seeking a military mandate to seize and destroy people-smugglers’ unseaworthy boats and a “Triton patrol” just 30 nautical miles off the Italian coast.

London Mayor Boris Johnson told LBC radio that warships should be deployed to Libya to prevent boats from being filled up by refugees escaping war, poverty and persecution.

He said: “I think sending over a warship or whatever we’re going to do is entirely right.”

When pressed by host Nick Ferrari as to whether he meant sending commandos to North Africa, Mr Johnson replied: “I don’t see why not.”

A total of 1,727 people have died in sea-crossing disasters this year.

The current death toll is already 30 times higher than the 56 fatalities recorded by April 21 last year.

It is feared the number could reach 30,000 by year’s end, according to the International Organisation for Migration, including 2,500 children.