The bodies of at least 40 migrants were located this Sunday off the coast of southern Italy, in the Calabria region, after the precarious boat in which they were traveling sank, the Carabineros confirmed to EFE.
According to the source, it is not ruled out that the number of deaths is higher since according to the Corriere della Sera 250 immigrants were traveling, while it has been possible to rescue some 50 survivors who managed to reach a beach in the town of Cutro (Crotone province ), where they are being treated by emergency teams from early in the morning.
The survivors have explained to the authorities that the precarious fishing boat in which they were traveling broke in half and many of its passengers were shipwrecked, since the sea was rough. The boat apparently hit some rocks before the migrants could call for help.
The bodies, including a newborn and several children, appeared on the tourist beach of Steccato and, according to the Carabinieri, are scattered over several kilometers.
While the relief work progresses, the authorities are questioning the survivors to find out the circumstances of the accident and the origin of the migrants, who according to the local press are mostly from Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The tragedy occurs three days after the Italian Parliament approved a new immigration decree on Thursday, drawn up by the government of the far-right Giorgia Meloni, which substantially modifies the relief operations of NGO ships.
Among other issues, the regulation obliges to request the assignment of a port after the first rescue of a group of migrants and to go to that location without deviating to locate other vessels in danger.
In addition, NGOs have repeatedly denounced that for months the Italian authorities have been assigning far away ports, in the north and center of Italy, which take up to four and five days to arrive, neglecting their operations in the central Mediterranean area, where Most of these types of boats are wrecked.
According to the criteria of The Trust Project