Italian police have arrested a group of refugees whom witnesses say threw 12 people overboard while crossing the Mediterranean Sea from Libya to Italy early Wednesday morning.

One hundred and five refugees boarded a rubber ship and departed from the Libyan coast, destined for Italy on April 14th. During the dangerous crossing, a group of Christians were threatened by 15 or so Muslims. Eventually, the threat was carried out, and 12 Christians were thrown overboard.

The Muslims were from the Ivory Coast, Senegal, Mali and Guinea Bissau, while the Christians were from Nigeria and Ghana.

The rest of the Christians formed a 'human chain' to resist being thrown overboard. Police arrested the 15 Muslims after interviewing tearful survivors once they arrived at Palermo Wednesday morning.

Italy has seen a surge of immigrants due to warm weather and calm seas. More than 10,000 refugees have arrived on Italian shores since last weekend. Thousands die each year while attempting the voyage across the Mediterranean sea, according to the International Organization for Migration.

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