Boat capsizes near Lampedusa: Only 11‑year-old survives tragedy
A tragic accident occurred in the Mediterranean Sea, leading to the disappearance of 44 migrants. Their boat capsized off the coast of Lampedusa, an Italian island that serves as a major transit point for people attempting to reach Europe. The only survivor of this tragedy is an 11-year-old girl.
Details of the incident were reported by the humanitarian organization Compass Collective, based on the account of the sole survivor. The boat sank near Lampedusa, leaving the 11-year-old girl as the only one rescued.
"We suspect that she is the only survivor after the boat sank, and the other 44 passengers likely drowned," stated Compass Collective in a press release. This organization is involved in rescue missions in the Mediterranean Sea.
While on another rescue mission, members of Compass Collective heard cries from the water and rescued the girl, who was wearing a life jacket. She had been adrift in the sea for three days.
After her rescue, the 11-year-old girl was taken to Lampedusa, where she received medical care. She is currently staying at a migrant centre, receiving support from Red Cross workers and volunteers. The girl is from Sierra Leone, and the vessel she was on had departed from Sfax, Tunisia. The boat sank during a storm.
Immigrants try to reach Europe
The tragedy in the Mediterranean Sea highlights the severe risks involved in attempting to reach Europe via this passage. Migration across the Mediterranean, particularly between Tunisia and Italy, is one of the most perilous and challenging routes, where accidents and losses are all too common.
Despite the efforts of Italian authorities, such tragedies happen frequently. Rescue missions are continuously being undertaken in these turbulent waters, where immigrants endeavour to cross in small boats. It's estimated that the Italian armed forces patrol an area of around 44,000 square kilometres. Recently, another migrant boat sank, resulting in the loss of approximately 300 lives, with only a few surviving, most originating from Eritrea and Somalia.
