Sixty migrants were killed this Sunday morning, February 26, after their boat sank near the village of Steccato di Cutro, in the province of Crotone, in Calabria, southern Italy. The still preliminary balance could increase.
This Sunday, February 26, about sixty migrants were found dead after their boat sank at sea at dawn near the village of Steccato di Cutro, in the Italian province of Crotone, in Calabria.
According to the Italian press agency ANSA, “in addition to the bodies found on the beach in the village of Steccato di Cutro, there are also those that have not yet been recovered”. The migrants were on board what is believed to be a fishing boat that was broken in two by waves in very rough seas.
Several women and children are among the victims.
According to Italian media 24ore, there were 250 people on board the boat. The number of survivors is currently 80, of whom 21 have been taken to the emergency room at Crotone Hospital. The others were taken to the reception center on the island of Capo Rizzuto, a few kilometers from Steccato di Cutro.
The President of the Italian Council, Giorgia Meloni, expressed her “deep sadness at the many lives destroyed by human traffickers”. “The action of those who are speculating today about these deaths comments on itself, after creating the illusion of immigration without rules,” declared Giorgia Meloni, specifying that his government “will continue to prevent exits, initially by allowing States to enter Departure and Origin demand the highest degree of cooperation”.
The carabinieri, the police, the financial guard (customs and financial police, editor’s note) as well as the coast guard and the fire brigade are still on site.
The death toll is likely to change as many bodies remain to be recovered at sea.