EU chief urges asylum reform after migrant deaths

BRUSSELS — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for progress on a stalled reform of EU asylum rules after the deaths of about 60 migrants in Italy.

Von der Leyen tweeted on Sunday that the deaths, which occurred early on Sunday when an overloaded boat carrying about 120 migrants sank, were a tragedy that left her deeply saddened.

"We must redouble our efforts on the (European Union) Pact on Migration and Asylum and on the Action Plan on the Central Mediterranean," she said.