t least 58 migrants were killed in an Italian shipwreck off the coast of Calabria.

 

Tragedy Strikes as Overloaded Migrant Boat Sinks off Southern Italy

 

At least 58 migrants, including a baby, have tragically lost their lives and dozens more have survived after their overloaded boat sank in rough seas off southern Italy. The vessel reportedly broke up while attempting to land with about 150 people aboard near the Calabrian coastal town of Crotone.

 

Local officials have confirmed the death toll to be either 58 or 59, with many bodies having been recovered from the beach at a nearby seaside resort. Earlier, the coastguard had said that 80 people had been recovered alive, including some who managed to reach the shore after the sinking.

 

According to Italian officials, those onboard were mainly from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, and Iran, and President Sergio Mattarella said many were fleeing "very difficult conditions". One survivor has been arrested on migrant trafficking charges, customs police said.

 

The ship was said to have left the Turkish coastal city of Izmir three or four days ago. The boat is thought to have sunk after colliding with rocks during rough weather, sparking a massive search and rescue operation both on land and at sea.

 

The tragedy is the latest to strike the central Mediterranean, with large numbers of people fleeing conflict and poverty making the dangerous crossing from Africa to Italy each year. The incident highlights the continuing plight of migrants and the dangers they face in their desperate search for a better life.

Timber from the wreckage that has been smashed into pieces, as well as parts of the hull, can be seen washing up on the beach in video footage of the aftermath. Survivors are seen huddled under blankets, attended to by Red Cross workers, with some being taken to hospital.

 

The Italian government has expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and vowed to continue its efforts to combat human trafficking and prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. However, many argue that more needs to be done to address the root causes of migration and provide safe and legal routes for those seeking refuge.

 

 

 

The world has once again been reminded of the perils faced by migrants seeking better lives, after at least 58 people, including a baby, lost their lives in a boat mishap off the southern coast of Italy. The overloaded vessel reportedly had about 150 people on board when it sank in rough seas near the coastal town of Crotone in the Calabria region.

 

The tragedy is the latest in a series of similar incidents in the central Mediterranean, with many people fleeing poverty and conflict making the dangerous journey from Africa to Italy each year. Local officials have confirmed the death toll to be either 58 or 59, with many bodies having been recovered from the beach at a nearby seaside resort. Survivors have been taken to hospital, and one person has been arrested on migrant trafficking charges.

 

The Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, expressed her deep sorrow for the incident, blaming the deaths on traffickers. She pledged her government's commitment to preventing departures and to do everything possible to stop such tragedies from happening. The Italian right-wing government has been pushing for tougher rules on rescues and has vowed to stop migrants from reaching Italy's shores.

 

However, some experts argue that more needs to be done to address the root causes of migration and provide safe and legal routes for those seeking refuge. Over 20,000 people have died or gone missing at sea in the central Mediterranean since 2014, according to monitoring groups.

 

Regina Catrambone, director of the Migrant Offshore Aid Station, which carries out search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean, called for more cooperation among European states to actively coordinate and help those in need. She also urged governments to collaborate to improve search and rescue efforts and to create safe and legal migration routes.

 

The tragedy has attracted global attention, with the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, expressing her deep sadness and calling for more efforts to tackle the challenges of migration to Europe. Pope Francis, who often defends the rights of migrants, has also prayed for the dead, the missing, and those who survived.