At Least 26 Migrants Killed in Boat Capsizing Off Italian Island of Lampedusa
A tragic maritime disaster has claimed the lives of at least 26 migrants after a boat carrying nearly 100 people capsized in international waters off the Italian island of Lampedusa on Wednesday.
According to the Italian coast guard and United Nations agencies, the boat, which departed from Libya, was overcrowded and began taking on water, leading to the catastrophic incident.
Authorities have confirmed that 60 survivors were rescued and taken to a centre in Lampedusa, while around a dozen people are still missing.
Background and Investigation
The UNHCR spokesperson in Italy, Filippo Ungaro, reported that survivor accounts indicate around 95 migrants left Libya on two boats.
When one of the vessels started to take on water, all passengers were transferred to the other boat, which ultimately capsized due to overloading.
The investigation is ongoing, with the Italian coast guard and other authorities working to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The mayor of Lampedusa, Filippo Mannino, stated that the shipwreck likely occurred at dawn.
Migration Crisis and Consequences
This latest incident adds to the growing number of migrant deaths on the perilous central Mediterranean crossing.
So far this year, 675 migrants have lost their lives on this route, with almost 24,500 people dying or disappearing on the Mediterranean crossing in the past decade.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has pledged to continue combating illegal immigration and addressing the root causes of the crisis.
The Italian government has made preventing irregular departures and managing migration flows a top priority.
The tragedy has sparked international calls for action to address the crisis, with UNHCR spokesperson Filippo Ungaro expressing concern and sadness over the incident.