Migrant tragedy off Lampedusa: Search continues as dozens remain missing

Friday 15 August 2025 - 09:30

The search for survivors continued on Thursday following a deadly shipwreck off the Italian island of Lampedusa that has claimed at least 27 lives, with many still unaccounted for.

Authorities have so far identified 23 of the victims: 13 men, 7 women, and 3 minors, including a newborn. Coast guard teams have widened the search area, with operations set to continue until Sunday.

Flavio di Giacomo, spokesperson for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), reported that around 95 people departed from Libya on two boats. Italian media, however, estimated between 100 and 110 passengers. One of the vessels began taking on water, forcing the migrants to board the other boat, which then capsized under the added weight.

A vigil was held at the Madonna di Porto Salvo sanctuary on Thursday night, where residents lit candles in memory of the victims. “Our arms are always open, but these deaths break our hearts,” said Angela, a local resident.

Sixty people were rescued, including 21 minors, according to the Red Cross and Lampedusa’s migrant reception center. Most survivors are Somali, with a few from Egypt. One Somali woman recounted the heartbreaking loss of her husband and young son to the waves.

Lampedusa, located just 145 km from the North African coast, remains a key arrival point for migrants attempting the dangerous central Mediterranean route — the deadliest migration path in the world. According to the UNHCR, more than 700 migrants have died on this route in 2025 alone.

Despite frequent tragedies, migrant boats continue to arrive daily. The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has implemented agreements with North African countries to curb departures, but arrivals this year have already surpassed 38,500 by sea.