Dozens Dead After Migrant Ship Wrecks off Italian Coast
At least 40 people have died after a vessel carrying migrants wrecked off the coast of Steccato di Cutro, Italy, on Sunday morning, February 26, according to local media.
A seven-year-old boy, a three-year-old child, and an infant are among the dead, local media said.
According to reports, the boat was travelling from Turkey with migrants from Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan on board when it wrecked in rough seas.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her “deep sorrow” at the incident in a statement on Sunday, saying: “It is criminal to put a boat that is only 20 meters long with 200 people on board and with adverse weather forecasts. It is inhumane to exchange the lives of men, women and children for the price of the ‘ticket’ they paid in the false perspective of a safe journey.”
The death toll from the incident is expected to rise. Credit: Italian Red Cross via Storyful
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