Migrant boat sinks off Italian island 21 missing

A shipwreck off the southern Italian island of Lampedusa has left 21 migrants missing and seven rescued, according to Italy's Coast Guard.

The boat, which departed from the Libyan coast on September 1, was sinking when it was intercepted by rescue teams. The survivors, all Syrian men, reported that 21 others, including three minors, fell into the sea during severe weather conditions, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Rescue operations are ongoing, with Italy's Coast Guard requesting assistance from sea rescue teams in Tunisia, Malta, and Libya to locate the missing. 

Nicola Dell’Arciprete, UNICEF's country coordinator for Italy, addressed the tragedy on X, stating, “Another tragic shipwreck near Lampedusa. The majority of the survivors say they lost some family members. We are on the spot with our operational teams.”

The boat's journey is part of the dangerous southern Mediterranean route, known as one of the deadliest paths from Africa to Europe. According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 1,000 migrants have lost their lives attempting this crossing in 2024. Italy's Interior Ministry reports that around 43,000 migrants have reached Italian shores this year.

Survivors recounted that 21 of the 28 passengers, including three children, were lost at sea in the storm. Several Sudanese nationals were also aboard, as confirmed by the Italian office of the UN Refugee Agency. The search continues for those missing.