Amnesty International UK’s Refugees Programme Director Steve Symonds said:

“The tragic news today that at least 40 people – including 17 children – have drowned in the Aegean sea is an indictment of Europe-wide policies that for years have prioritised building fences over saving lives.

“European leaders – including David Cameron – need to wake up to the fact that poorer regions have been left struggling for far too long to host the majority of those fleeing bombs, bullets and torture.

“All countries must share responsibility, and that means welcoming more refugees through safe routes to, and safe reception in, Europe. Otherwise, they will continue to be forced to turn to people smugglers, and chaos and fatalities will increase .”