Philip Hammond: We need to target the traffickers

The foreign secretary has responded to the news that over 900 migrants are feared dead in the worst maritime disaster in the history of the Mediterranean.

He said that the crisis, which has seen at least 1,500 lives lost after migrants embark on dangerous crossings in over-crowded unseaworthy vessels in an effort to get from Africa to Europe.

He said that the solution must involve “targeting the criminals” who are organising the movement of these people.

Philip Hammond said the crisis “requires a comprehensive European response” as he arrived for a meeting with his EU peers in Luxembourg.