The tragedy repeats itself. On February 26 at 4:40 am, Italian authorities arrived at the beach near Steccato di Cutro, in the south of the country, to answer the call of a boat carrying migrants and whose boat broke up when it hit the rocks of the coast.
The news was confirmed by the prefect of Crotone, Manuela Curra, who reported that among the victims there is a baby, children and several women. So far, more than 60 deaths and dozens of missing people have been reported, but the number could increase because the ship was carrying about 250 people.
At least 40 migrants dead and dozens missing after a shipwreck off the coast of Italy
According to authorities, the boat was **carrying** more than 250 people from Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Many of the victims pic.twitter.com/sVcHYgw48z
— Sarah Ilych♦️♥️🧸RIA Novosti (@Sarah83336937) February 26, 2023
According to the authorities, the ship left the Turkish city of Izmir three or four days ago, carrying about 250 passengers from Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan, including babies and minors.
The boat would have hit rocks off the coast of Italy at approximately 4:20 or 4:30 am local time. About 80 people managed to save themselves by clinging to pieces of the boat. However, dozens of missing persons have been reported and the search for them could take time due to strong gusts of wind and the intense cold. Authorities also reported the deaths of more than 60 people, including a baby and 12 children, so far.
Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy, blamed human traffickers for such a terrible tragedy.
It is criminal to launch a vessel barely 20 meters long with 250 people on board in adverse weather conditions. It is inhumane to trade the lives of men, women and children for the price of a ticket under the false idea of a safe journey.
Matteo Piantedosi, Minister of the Interior, confirmed at a press conference the arrest of three smugglers and possible culprits, who are accused of culpable homicide, complicity and incitement to illegal immigration. It is expected that in the next few hours the legal situation of these will be determined and how the victims of such an unfortunate tragedy will be helped.