On Sunday, 59 migrants perished and 80 others survived after their boat capsized off the shore of Crotone, Italy, in the southern province of Calabria (February 26). DaniloMaida, a spokesperson for the Calabria firefighters’ service, told Reuters that firefighters and other rescue workers were searching for further survivors at sea on jet skis, but circumstances were harsh, making the search difficult.
There were 120 migrants aboard. In a statement, Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said, “It is a huge tragedy which shows the absolute need to act firmly against irregular migration channels,” Reuters reported. Piantedosi went on to say that it was critical to put an end to maritime crossings, which profited traffickers while providing migrants with the illusory prospect of a better life in Europe.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed “great grief” over the deaths. She blamed human smugglers and promised to halt migrant maritime voyages to avert such disasters.
Italy has been a major landing place for migrants attempting to enter Europe by sea, and the central Mediterranean route has been one of the busiest and most dangerous routes for individuals seeking to reach the continent.
According to the International Organization for Migration’s Lost Migrant Project, over 20,000 migrants have died or gone missing on this route since 2014. Migrants on board the boat. The overcrowded ship apparently split up and sank in heavy waves off the coast of southern Italy.
The migrants on board were from Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. According to the Adnkronos news agency, it sank after collapsing into rocks in heavy weather. The video shows damaged lumber blasted into bits and washing up on the beach.