Pope Francis urged authorities to halt human traffickers operating in the Mediterranean and expressed his sadness regarding the migrant boat tragedy last week off the Calabrian coast of Italy, which claimed the lives of numerous individuals.
The Pope made this statement during his weekly address to the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square, he stated:
“I renew my appeal to prevent such tragedies from happening again. May traffickers of human beings be stopped.”
According to local authorities, the incident has resulted in the recovery of 70 bodies thus far.
The migrants, who hailed from countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Somalia, and Syria, had departed from Turkey.
Pope stated:
“May journeys of hope never again turn into journeys of death, and may the clear waters of the Mediterranean no longer be bloodied by such dramatic accidents.”
Rough seas near Steccato di Cutro, a resort on the eastern coast of Calabria, caused the boat to break up and sink.
The boat carried up to 200 migrants.
Approximately 80 individuals survived the incident.
After facing allegations of delayed action, authorities apprehended three alleged traffickers this week.
Prosecutors are currently investigating the emergency services’ reaction to the disaster.
Pope further said:
“I pray for the many victims of the shipwreck, for their families, and for those who survived.”
Giorgia Meloni, the right-wing Prime Minister of Italy, who urged fellow European Union leaders this week to take more action to prevent illegal immigration, applauded the Pope’s comments.
She stated on Facebook that the government is “persisting in deploying all essential forces to fight human traffickers and prevent fatalities at sea.”
