At least six migrants have died, and 40 are missing following a shipwreck off the Italian island of Lampedusa, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) confirmed on Wednesday.
The Italian coastguard reported that it responded to an emergency call on Tuesday regarding a rubber dinghy in distress. Upon arrival, rescuers found 10 survivors and six bodies. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, despite challenging weather conditions.
To assist in the search, the Italian coastguard has been joined by aircraft from the military and police, as well as support from the European Union’s border agency, Frontex.
According to the UNHCR, survivors described how many of the 56 migrants—hailing from Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Guinea, and Mali—fell into the sea a few hours after departing from the Tunisian city of Sfax due to rough weather conditions.
The survivors are receiving aid on Lampedusa, with support from both the UNHCR and its partner, the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The Italian Red Cross is also providing psychological assistance to those affected.
Lampedusa, located in the Mediterranean Sea between Tunisia, Malta, and Sicily, serves as a primary entry point for many migrants attempting to reach the European Union from North Africa, making it one of the world’s most perilous sea crossings.
In 2024, over 66,600 migrants arrived in Italy by sea, less than half the number in 2023, with around 9,000 reaching Italy’s shores so far this year, according to Italy’s interior ministry.
