The Italian authorities say at least 2,000 mainly African migrants were rescued from unseaworthy boats off the coast of Libya in the past twenty-four hours.

意大利当局称，在过去的24个小时中，至少有2000名非洲移民在利比亚沿岸获救。

For many who want to flee the country the only route is the Mediterranean—often a journey on unseaworthy boats or vessels operated by smugglers.

对于那些想要离这个国家的人而言唯一途径是走地中海—这就意味着要乘坐不适航海的只或搭乘走私者们的。

Fearing they would be sold into slavery, they set fire to the ships, making them unseaworthy.

唯恐被卖为奴，她们放火烧毁了只，使之无法航行。