Italian coast guard saves 22 shipwreck survivors and retrieves 9 bodies | Global News

The Italian Coast Guard has once again come to the rescue, saving 22 people and recovering nine bodies after a tragic incident at sea. The harrowing event took place about 50 kilometers south of the island of Lampedusa, where a smugglers’ boat capsized in the midst of a storm.

According to survivors, the ill-fated steel bottom boat had departed from Sfax, Tunisia, carrying 46 individuals from Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Ivory Coast. The boat encountered trouble when the engine broke down, leaving the group adrift in the treacherous waters. Waves as high as five meters added to the chaos, causing panic among the passengers.

Tragically, among the victims were a six-month-old child and eight men, as confirmed by the UN refugee agency. Six survivors were treated for severe hypothermia and dehydration, with two remaining hospitalized for further care.

As the Coast Guard continued their search and rescue efforts in challenging conditions, concerns were raised about the increasing number of crossing attempts as summer approaches. The Italian government’s restrictions on charity rescue boats have also added to the risks faced by migrants attempting the perilous journey across the Mediterranean.

With the arrival of the summer season, the UNHCR in Italy warns of more incidents at sea, highlighting the urgent need for safer migration policies. The International Organization for Migration reports that 385 migrants have gone missing along the central Mediterranean route to Italy this year, underscoring the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.