Swedish deputy PM sorry for saying: ‘Mediterranean turning into new Auschwitz’

Sweden’s deputy prime minister has apologised for comparing the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean to the horrors of the Holocaust.

In a televised party leader debate, Asa Romson deplored the desperate situation of migrants trying to make the perilous and often deadly crossing to Europe, saying: “We are … turning the Mediterranean into the new Auschwitz.”

Critics, including Jewish leaders, called the comparison to the Nazi death camp misguided and offensive. About 1.1 million people, mostly Jews, were killed in Auschwitz during World War II.

Ms Romson, who represents the Green Party, apologised on Twitter, saying: “It was wrong to make the comparison with Auschwitz.”

Swedish news agency TT said Ms Romson also called the head of Stockholm’s Jewish community to say she regretted her choice of words.