Sunday, October 29, 2023

Dozens Dead in Italy Refugee Boat Sinking

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At least 81 people have been rescued and 58 have tragically died after a boat carrying over 100 migrants and refugees crashed off the Italian coast in stormy weather. The vessel had set sail from Turkey several days prior and was carrying people from Afghanistan, Iran, and other countries when it crashed near Steccato di Cutro, a seaside resort in Calabria.

The mayor of Cutro, Antonio Ceraso, reported that women and children were among the dead. Survivors of the crash have said that there were between 140-150 people on board the boat. The survivors were mostly from Afghanistan, with a few from Pakistan and Somalia.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella commented on the tragedy, saying that many of the migrants were fleeing conditions of great hardship. This incident comes shortly after Italy’s hard-right government passed a controversial new law on rescuing refugees and migrants, which only allows for one rescue attempt at a time.

Far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her “deep sorrow” over the incident and “the many human lives cut short by human traffickers”. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi also commented on the tragedy, saying it was “a huge tragedy which shows the absolute need to act firmly against irregular migration channels.”

Pope Francis offered his prayers for those caught up in the shipwreck during his Sunday address to crowds in St Peter’s Square. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also expressed her sadness over the “tragedy” and called for progress on a stalled reform of EU asylum rules.

Italy is one of the main landing points for migrants trying to enter Europe by sea, and in 2022 alone, at least 2,836 people died crossing the Central Mediterranean, which is considered the most dangerous migrant crossing in the world. This latest shipwreck is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers that migrants face when trying to flee their home countries in search of a better life.

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