40 Migrants Feared Dead, 10 Rescued Following Mediterranean Shipwreck
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Synopsis
On March 19, reports emerged that approximately 40 migrants are presumed dead after their boat capsized in the central Mediterranean, while 10 were rescued by Italian authorities and the UNHCR. The survivors were brought to Lampedusa for assistance amid ongoing search efforts for the missing.
Key Takeaways
- 40 migrants presumed dead in Mediterranean.
- 10 survivors rescued, including 4 women.
- Boat departed from Sfax, Tunisia, with at least 56 onboard.
- Search operations ongoing with support from Frontex.
- Central Mediterranean remains a perilous route for migrants.
Rome, March 19 (NationPress) As many as 40 migrants are feared to have lost their lives after their vessel overturned in turbulent waters of the central Mediterranean, while an additional 10 individuals were rescued, according to reports from Italian authorities and the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) on Wednesday.
The rescued individuals, which included four women, were brought to the small island of Lampedusa during the early morning hours and received assistance from the Red Cross, as stated by the Italian coastguard.
The vessel involved in the tragedy was an inflatable rubber dinghy that set sail from the port of Sfax, Tunisia, on Monday, carrying at least 56 people, a representative from UNHCR-Italy reported via social media, as per Xinhua news agency.
Those on board hailed from Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Guinea.
The coastguard also found the remains of ten individuals who perished due to the shipwreck and transported them ashore.
Search and rescue operations for the other missing individuals continued on Wednesday, using aircraft from Italy's coastguard, police, and military, along with support from the European Union's border agency Frontex. Rescuers were reported to be “taking turns flying over the area due to the particularly adverse weather conditions,” as warned by the coast guard.
The central Mediterranean is a critical pathway for individuals aiming to reach Europe in pursuit of a better life or safety, and it is also one of the most perilous. So far in 2025, at least 27,016 migrants and refugees have arrived in southern European nations, with over 25,900 making the journey by sea from northern African countries.
Among these, approximately 8,936 people have arrived in Italy (as of March 19), an increase from 8,630 during the same timeframe last year, according to the Italian Interior Ministry.
Simultaneously, the UNHCR has reported that at least 214 individuals have died or are missing during this perilous journey. Analyzing UNHCR data from 2013 to 2024, the number of deceased and missing exceeds 30,600.
