A tragic migrant shipwreck off the southern Italian island of Lampedusa has left at least 26 people dead, with rescue operations still ongoing. The Italian coastguard reported that 60 survivors were brought ashore on Wednesday, but the death toll may rise as searches continue in the rough Mediterranean waters.
The vessel, which had departed from Libya, capsized roughly 14 miles (23 km) off Lampedusa early Wednesday morning. The alarm was raised when an Italian law enforcement aircraft spotted the overturned boat and multiple bodies floating nearby. This prompted a large-scale search-and-rescue mission involving five ships, two aircraft, and one helicopter.
Migrants Fled Libya Before Vessel Overturned in Rough Seas
According to initial survivor accounts, the migrants had left from the Tripoli area in Libya, traveling in two separate boats. When one began to take on water, those aboard were transferred to the second vessel. Unfortunately, the second boat later capsized in choppy seas, likely due to overcrowding and instability, a source familiar with the matter reported.
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) estimates that the group included 92 to 97 migrants, with the exact number still unconfirmed. So far in 2025, at least 675 people have died attempting the dangerous central Mediterranean crossing, said Filippo Ungaro, UNHCR spokesperson in Italy.
Cristina Palma of the Italian Red Cross said the 56 men and four women rescued were in stable condition, though four were hospitalised for further medical checks.
This latest tragedy adds to the growing humanitarian crisis facing migrants attempting to reach Europe from Africa. Calls for better rescue coordination and safer migration routes are once again mounting as bodies continue to be pulled from the sea.
