5 months ago
23
NEW DELHI: Over ten suspected
migrants
died, and 51 were evacuated on Monday after a failed attempt to cross Mediterranean waters near a
southern Italian island
close to North Africa, according to several reports.
The German aid organization RESQSHIP, which operates the Nadir rescue ship, reported rescuing 51 individuals from a sinking wooden vessel, including two who were unconscious.
They also discovered 10 bodies on board.
In a post on X, RESQSHIP mentioned that their crew was “caring” for the 51 people rescued from the boat, but lamented that “the rescue came too late for 10 people.” The post added that “two of the rescued were unconscious and had to be cut free with an axe.”
This southern Italian island, located near North Africa, is a notorious destination for human smugglers, with 127,000 migrants arriving last year.
Meanwhile, the Italian coast guard is searching for about 50 people missing after a shipwreck off the southern coast of Calabria.
According to a statement from the Italian coast guard, the search and rescue operation was launched after a distress call from a French vessel about 120 miles (193 kilometers) from the Italian coast, as reported by Euro News.
The incident took place in waters under the jurisdiction of both Greece and Italy, the statement indicated.
Rescuers found a half-sunken boat and saved 12 migrants, most of whom were likely traveling from Turkey.
The survivors were taken to the Calabrian port of Roccella Jonica, where they received medical treatment. Tragically, one of the migrants died shortly after being rescued, the coast guard reported.
The Italian maritime rescue coordination centre (IMRCC) in Rome quickly redirected two nearby merchant ships to assist in the rescue. Assets from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex, also participated in the effort.
( with input from agencies)
