At least 20 people drowned when a boat sank near the Italian island of Lampedusa on Wednesday, according to UN officials and local reports.
Rescuers have found 20 bodies so far, with search efforts ongoing, Italy’s Ansa news agency reported. About 70 to 80 people are believed to have survived.
Filippo Ungaro from the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, warning that more people may still be missing. “Heartbroken by yet another shipwreck near Lampedusa,” he wrote on social media. “UNHCR is helping survivors. So far, 20 bodies have been recovered, with many still unaccounted for.”
Italian outlet Radio Radicale reported the boat was carrying 97 people when it capsized about 14 miles southwest of Lampedusa.
While details remain unclear, Save the Children Italy said a one-and-a-half-year-old girl is feared lost. Rai Radio 1 reported between 12 and 17 people missing, with 60 survivors brought to safety on the island.
The overturned boat was first spotted by an Italian financial police aircraft.
Migrants traveling from North Africa to Italy often risk the dangerous central Mediterranean route—one of the deadliest in the world—with many arriving in Lampedusa on overcrowded or unsafe boats.
The UNHCR said 675 people have died on this route so far this year. According to Italy’s interior ministry, 38,263 migrants have reached Italian shores in 2024.
The ministry did not immediately comment on the latest incident.
FAQS
### FAQs About the Boat Sinking Near Lampedusa
#### **Basic Questions**
1. **What happened near Lampedusa?**
At least 20 people died when a boat carrying migrants sank near the Italian island of Lampedusa.
2. **Where is Lampedusa?**
Lampedusa is a small Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea, located between Sicily and North Africa.
3. **Who reported the incident?**
The United Nations provided the information about the tragedy.
4. **How many people were on the boat?**
The exact number isn’t confirmed, but reports indicate it was carrying migrants, and at least 20 died.
5. **Why was the boat carrying migrants?**
Many migrants risk dangerous sea crossings to escape conflict, poverty, or persecution in their home countries.
6. **Were there any survivors?**
Some survivors were rescued, but the exact number isn’t yet clear.
7. **What caused the boat to sink?**
Overcrowding, rough seas, or poor boat conditions are common causes of such tragedies.
#### **Intermediate Questions**
8. **How often do migrant boat accidents happen near Lampedusa?**
Sadly, such incidents occur frequently due to the high number of migrants attempting the crossing.
9. **What is being done to help survivors?**
Italian authorities and humanitarian organizations provide medical care, shelter, and legal assistance.
10. **Does Italy receive many migrants by sea?**
Yes, Italy is a major entry point for migrants crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa.
11. **What dangers do migrants face on these journeys?**
Risks include drowning, dehydration, exploitation by smugglers, and detention upon arrival.
12. **How does the UN respond to such incidents?**
The UN monitors migration routes, advocates for safer pathways, and supports rescue efforts.
13. **Are there laws to prevent these tragedies?**
International maritime law requires rescues at sea, but smuggling and unsafe crossings remain a challenge.
#### **Advanced Questions**
14. **What role do smugglers play in these journeys?**
Smugglers often charge high fees for unsafe, overcrowded boats, increasing the risk of disasters.
15. **How does the EU handle migration from Lampedusa?**
