Tragedy on Lampedusa: Syrian boy survives shipwreck, mother missing!

Tragedy on Lampedusa: Syrian boy survives shipwreck, mother missing!

Another refugee tragedy occurred off the Italian coast on New Year's Eve. A total of 278 migrants landed on the island of Lampedusa after setting off from Libya on four boats. Among them were seven people who survived a fatal shipwreck. The story of an eight-year-old Syrian boy who lost his mother in the accident is particularly touching. This boy, who has already been able to contact his father in Germany, is to be brought to Sicily crown reported.

The Italian authorities have continued the search for a total of 20 missing people, including three children. Given the water temperatures and the long time that has passed since the accident, hopes of finding other survivors are slim. The rescued migrants are mainly Egyptians, Pakistanis, Syrians and Palestinians. Lampedusa Mayor Filippo Mannino expressed hope that this would be the last refugee tragedy of its kind.

Additional tragedies in the Mediterranean

Week after week, large numbers of people try to reach Europe via the dangerous Mediterranean. Another accident recently occurred off the coast of Tunisia in which two Tunisian migrants, including a five-year-old child, died. 17 people were rescued while four suspects believed to be involved in the case were arrested ORF reported. According to the Italian Interior Ministry, over 65,000 migrants have arrived in Italy by sea in 2023 to date, underscoring the urgency of the situation.