Six decomposed bodies were found off the coast of Sicily on Sunday, September 8, 2024, believed to be from a recent shipwreck involving migrants. The bodies were recovered near Sicily and transported to the island of Lampedusa, around 350 kilometers away. Authorities suspect the bodies are those of migrants who were aboard a boat that capsized in Libyan waters earlier this week.
The tragic incident began when the Italian coastguard rescued seven male Syrian nationals from a half-sunken boat southwest of Lampedusa last Wednesday. The survivors recounted setting off from Libya on September 1 with 28 people on board. Unfortunately, 21 individuals, including three children, were lost at sea due to rough weather.
One survivor, speaking to Italian media, shared that the boat was carrying Sudanese and Syrians. After a day at sea, the boat capsized in harsh conditions, causing everyone on board to fall into the water. The survivors attempted to rescue their companions, but the dangerous conditions made it impossible.
Italian authorities believe the recovered bodies are likely some of the 21 migrants still missing from the shipwreck, based on the coordinates where they were found. The mayor of Lampedusa, Filippo Mannino, expressed deep sorrow over the discovery, calling it “another tragedy” in the ongoing migration crisis. Mannino added that while they had hoped the missing could be found alive, the passage of time had diminished those hopes.
The central Mediterranean is recognized as one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world. According to the International Organization for Migration, over 2,500 migrants died or went missing on this route last year, with 1,116 deaths reported so far this year. While more than 43,000 migrants have reached Italy in 2024, these numbers have decreased compared to previous years.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who was elected in October 2022, campaigned on promises to reduce the number of migrants attempting to make the dangerous sea journey from Africa to Europe.