A shipwreck off the Italian island of Lampedusa has claimed the lives of 41 migrants, as recounted by survivors. The ill-fated vessel, originating from Tunisia’s port city of Sfax, was carrying 45 individuals, including three children, on its perilous journey towards Italy. Shockingly, only 15 people were equipped with life vests, leaving many vulnerable to the unforgiving waters.
Survivors, hailing from the Ivory Coast and Guinea, shared their harrowing account after reaching Lampedusa. They detailed how their 7-meter-long boat set sail from Sfax, only to be swallowed by the sea hours later due to a fierce wave. They were eventually rescued by a cargo ship and later transferred to an Italian coast guard vessel.
Tragically, this incident adds to the distressing toll of lives lost in the central Mediterranean, surpassing 1,800 casualties this year alone. The treacherous route remains one of the most perilous for migrants seeking refuge in Europe.
As rescue efforts continue and as per Italy’s policy rescue ships need to be docked at more distant ports, limiting crucial patrols near frequent shipwreck zones. This tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the ongoing migrant crisis .