ROME, Italy— Survivors from a migrant boat disaster in the central Mediterranean have been brought to the Italian island of Lampedusa, as authorities continue to search for dozens feared missing after the vessel capsized over the Easter weekend.
According to rescue charities and international media reports, 32 survivors and the bodies of two victims were transferred from merchant vessels to an Italian Coast Guard ship and taken ashore. The migrants had been attempting the perilous crossing from Libya to Europe when their overcrowded boat overturned.
Survivor accounts indicate that around 105 people were on board when the vessel capsized, leaving at least 71 still unaccounted for. No official revision of the casualty figures has been issued so far by Italian authorities.
Aid organisations said the survivors include nationals from several countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh and Egypt, underscoring the continued flow of migrants from South Asia and North Africa along one of the world’s deadliest migration routes.
The incident is believed to have occurred within a Libyan search-and-rescue zone, highlighting ongoing concerns about coordination and response capabilities in the central Mediterranean.
The latest tragedy adds to a rising toll of migrant deaths this year, as humanitarian groups warn that dangerous sea conditions and the use of unseaworthy boats are increasing the risks for those attempting the crossing.
Despite repeated warnings, thousands continue to embark on the journey in hopes of reaching Europe, often relying on smuggling networks and overcrowded vessels ill-equipped for the voyage.
Italian authorities have not yet announced any new search operations or investigations related to the incident.