The Italian Coast Guard rescued 22 people and recovered nine bodies after a smugglers’ boat capsized in a storm about 30 miles south of the island of Lampedusa. The boat, carrying 46 people from Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Ivory Coast, departed from Sfax, Tunisia overnight Sunday and capsized Wednesday morning as waves reached up to 16 feet.
Among the victims were a six-month-old child and eight men, according to the UNHCR. Six survivors were treated for severe hypothermia and dehydration, with two remaining hospitalized. The rescue operation took place in rough seas with waves reaching over 8 feet, and the Coast Guard continued air surveillance of the area, which falls under Malta’s search-and-rescue jurisdiction.
The incident highlights the dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean, especially as summer approaches and more people attempt the journey. Italian port rules restricting charity rescue boats have raised concerns about increased shipwrecks, with the government instructing boats to go to northern ports after each rescue and impounding those that violate rules.
Federico Fossi, a UNHCR spokesman in Italy, warned of more incidents at sea as unseaworthy metal boats are increasingly used for crossings. The International Organization for Migration reported 385 migrants missing along the central Mediterranean route to Italy this year and 23,109 since launching the missing migrants project in 2014. The tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by migrants seeking a better life.
