BAMAKO, Rajab 05, 1436, April 24, 2015, SPA -- At least 50 Malians from the impoverished region of Kayes were among up to 900 migrants who drowned trying to cross from Libya to Europe this weekend, the government said on Friday, according to Reuters. The deaths triggered worldwide outrage and prompted the European Union to agree to triple the size of its naval search mission in the Mediterranean at a hastily convened summit. "There were 24 survivors amongst which there were 12 Malians. Around 50 Malians drowned but that number could increase," said Kany Keita, spokesman for the Ministry for Malians Abroad. Nearly 2,000 people have died this year out of nearly 40,000 people recorded making the crossing. --SPA 15:26 LOCAL TIME 12:26 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w