40 migrants missing after shipwreck as Italian Coast Guard recovers 6 dead bodies
The Italian Coast Guard has tragically recovered six bodies and continues to search for up to 40 migrants who are still missing after a shipwreck in the Mediterranean. The incident involved a rubber dinghy that departed from Tunisia and ultimately sank in the central Mediterranean, according to the U.N. refugee agency.
Survivors of the shipwreck, including four women, were rescued and brought to Italy’s southernmost island of Lampedusa. They are currently in good condition and receiving psychological care. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, with assistance from aircraft belonging to the European border agency Frontex and the Italian coast guard, despite challenging sea conditions.
Reports indicate that the rubber dinghy was carrying a total of 56 people from Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Guinea, and Mali when it began to deflate shortly after departing from the Tunisian port of Sfax on Monday. The U.N. Missing Migrant Project highlights the dangers of the central Mediterranean route, with over 24,506 individuals reported dead or missing between 2014 and 2024.
In the broader context, Italy has seen an increase in migrant arrivals this year, with 8,963 individuals having arrived in the country according to recent Interior Ministry figures. This represents a 4% rise compared to the same period last year. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni’s center-right government has been advocating for agreements with northern African countries aimed at preventing migrant departures.
Meloni emphasized the importance of reducing departures and disrupting the operations of human traffickers to prevent further loss of life at sea. She cited the success of previous economic agreements, which led to a significant drop in migrant arrivals in Italy last year. Additionally, Meloni highlighted the decrease in the number of deaths or missing migrants at sea, underscoring the positive impact of these initiatives.
On a related note, the humanitarian rescue group Emergency recently rescued 35 individuals in the Libyan search-and-rescue area. However, they were instructed to disembark in the northern Italian city of La Spezia, as per the government’s protocol of assigning ports away from the rescue area. This decision has raised concerns about potential delays and increased suffering for the rescued individuals.
The ongoing efforts to address migrant arrivals and ensure the safety of those at sea underscore the complex challenges faced in the Mediterranean region. It is crucial for policymakers to continue working towards comprehensive solutions that prioritize human lives and uphold humanitarian principles.
