The bodies of 13 Kurdish migrants who tragically drowned off the coast of Italy on June 17, 2024, will be returned to Erbil on Friday afternoon. Saleem Pasha, head of immigrant affairs at the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Department of Foreign Relations, informed Kurdistan24 that this process was initiated based on the recommendation of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.
A special committee was formed to manage the repatriation, comprising members from the Interior Ministry and the Foreign Relations Office. Pasha explained that DNA samples were taken to Italy, where the Italian government was able to identify the 13 bodies.
The Ministry of Interior has made all necessary arrangements to notify the victims’ families. At 3:00 PM Italy time, which is 4:00 PM Kurdistan time, the bodies will be sent to Erbil. Following the boat capsizing in Italian waters on June 17, which led to numerous fatalities and missing persons, the KRG has been in constant contact with relevant parties to address the situation.
The KRG Foreign Relations Office confirmed that a dedicated team has been dispatched to Italy to manage the return process. KRG Spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani emphasized the legal and logistical efforts undertaken to resolve the situation, stating that the KRG is committed to ensuring the victims are brought back to their homeland with dignity.