New York: In response to yet another tragic incident in the Mediterranean, where lives were lost during a crossing attempt, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have called for a more coordinated and robust approach to search and rescue operations. The recent incident took place between August 3 and 4, resulting in only four survivors who were rescued by a commercial ship. The Italian Coast Guard escorted these survivors to Lampedusa, where they reported that they were part of a group of 45 people, with 41 individuals, including three children, still missing.
Collaborating closely with local authorities in Lampedusa, IOM, UNHCR, and UNICEF aim to support the disembarkation and initial reception stages, ensuring that those requiring international protection receive appropriate assistance and identifying individuals with specific needs promptly.
The tragic incident adds to the rising death toll caused by shipwrecks in the central Mediterranean. Data from the IOM’s Missing Migrants Project reveals that in 2023 alone, over 1,800 people have either died or gone missing on this route, accounting for more than 75% of all Mediterranean fatalities in the past decade.
The vessel involved in this incident, an iron barge that set sail from Sfax, Tunisia, fell victim to the treacherous Mediterranean waters. The UN agencies underscore the increased risks associated with crossings on vessels like these, particularly in adverse weather conditions.
These heart-wrenching events shed light on the lack of humanity exhibited by smugglers towards migrants and refugees. A recent incident off Lampedusa resulted in the tragic deaths of a pregnant woman and her child.
Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, stressed the urgency of improving the management of migration flows to prevent further loss of life in such perilous journeys.