At least 26 migrants have died in a shipwreck near the southern Italian island of Lampedusa, with 60 survivors rescued, according to Italy’s coastguard. The vessel, which had departed from the Tripoli area in Libya, capsized in rough seas about 14 miles off the coast on Wednesday morning. An Italian law enforcement aircraft spotted the overturned boat and bodies in the water, prompting an urgent rescue operation.
Survivors reported that they had originally been travelling on two boats. When one began taking on water, all passengers transferred to the second vessel, which later overturned. The United Nations refugee agency estimated there were between 92 and 97 people on board before the accident. Search operations are ongoing, and authorities fear more bodies could still be in the water.
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Since the start of this year, 675 people have died attempting the dangerous central Mediterranean crossing from Africa to Europe. The survivors brought ashore appeared in fair physical condition but were exhausted and visibly shaken, according to the Italian Red Cross. The group included 56 men and four women. Humanitarian agencies continue to call for safer migration routes to prevent further loss of life in the Mediterranean.
The Lampedusa shipwreck is the latest in a series of migrant tragedies in the Mediterranean. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed deep sadness over the deaths and reiterated her government’s determination to crack down on human trafficking and irregular sea crossings. She urged Italy’s international partners to strengthen efforts against people smugglers, describing them as “unscrupulous traffickers” who exploit desperate migrants.
Meloni’s administration has already passed measures aimed at curbing migration from Africa, including tougher prison sentences for smugglers. The government argues that preventing departures from the North African coast is the most effective way to save lives, but critics say such policies fail to address the humanitarian crisis and root causes of migration.
The Italian Red Cross, which manages the migrant reception hub on Lampedusa, reported that the rescued migrants were receiving medical attention and psychological support. While physically stable, many showed signs of trauma from the ordeal. Aid organisations have warned that the death toll in the central Mediterranean is likely to rise unless more coordinated search-and-rescue efforts are put in place.
The latest tragedy underscores the peril of the crossing and the continuing debate over how Europe should respond to migration flows from Africa and the Middle East.
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