![Refugees from Libya reach Lampedusa](http://i.guim.co.uk/static/w-300/h--/q-95/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2011/5/8/1304871206767/Refugees-from-Libya-reach-005.jpg)
Exclusive: Boat trying to reach Lampedusa was left to drift in Mediterranean for 16 days, despite alarm being raised.
Dozens of African migrants were left to die in the Mediterranean after a number of European military units apparently ignored their cries for help, the Guardian has learned. Two of the nine survivors claim this included a Nato ship.
![Lampedusa](http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/maps_and_graphs/2011/05/09/Lampedusa.gif)
Despite the trauma of their last attempt, the migrants – who are hiding out in the house of an Ethiopian in the Libyan capital – are willing to tackle the Mediterranean again if it means reaching Europe and gaining asylum.
« These are people living an unimaginable existence, fleeing political, religious and ethnic persecution, » said Zerai. « We must have justice for them, for those that died alongside them, and for the families who have lost their loved ones. »