According to officials, at least 59 migrants, including 28 Pakistanis, died after their overloaded boat sank early Sunday in stormy seas off Italy’s southern Calabria region.
“As of a few minutes ago, the number of confirmed victims was 59,” Vincenzo Voce, mayor of the coastal city of Crotone, told TV channel Sky TG-24 Sunday afternoon.
According to the Pakistani embassy in Rome, among others, 40 Pakistanis were on board the ill-fated boat.
The mission also stated that the bodies of 28 Pakistanis had been fished out of the sea by rescue personnel, but that 12 more citizens remained missing.
Pakistani officials also stated that they are in contact with Italian authorities, volunteers, and maritime agencies regarding this matter.
The embassy also stated that it is in contact with the Pakistani community in the Calabria region and is informing them of the tragic incident.
Meanwhile, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said, “We are closely following the reports about possible presence of Pakistanis in the vessel that has capsized off the coast of Italy.”
Taking to Twitter, she said that the Pakistani embassy in Rome is in the process of ascertaining facts from the Italian authorities.
We are closely following the reports about possible presence of Pakistanis in the vessel that has capsized off the coast of Italy. The Embassy of Pakistan in Rome is in the process of ascertaining facts from the Italian authorities.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) February 26, 2023
Earlier, the coastguard service reported that “43 bodies” had been discovered along the coast and that “80 people, including some who managed to reach the shore after the sinking,” had been recovered alive.
The ship set sail from Turkey several days ago, carrying migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and other countries, and crashed in stormy weather near Steccato di Cutro, a seaside resort on Calabria’s eastern coast.
According to the Guardia di Finanza customs police, one survivor was arrested on migrant trafficking charges.
According to Cutro’s mayor, Antonio Ceraso, women and children were among those killed. The exact number of children who died was not yet known.
Earlier, the coastguard service reported that “43 bodies” had been discovered along the coast and that “80 people, including some who managed to reach the shore after the sinking,” had been recovered alive.
The ship set sail from Turkey several days ago with migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and other countries, and crashed in stormy weather near Steccato di Cutro, a seaside resort on Calabria’s eastern coast.
The Guardia di Finanza customs police said one survivor was arrested on migrant trafficking charges.
Cutro’s mayor, Antonio Ceraso, said women and children were among those killed. Exact figures for how many children had died were not yet available.
“Many of these migrants came from Afghanistan and Iran, fleeing conditions of great hardship”, Italian President Sergio Mattarella said.
According to initial reports from ANSA and other Italian news agencies, 27 bodies werehed up on the beach and more were discovered in the water.
According to Ignazio Mangione, an Italian Red Cross official, very few of the children believed to be on the boat survived.
