Disaster in the Mediterranean: Coast Guard in court after shipping accident!

Disaster in the Mediterranean: Coast Guard in court after shipping accident!

Cutro, Italien - A tragic ship accident near Cutro, Italy, cost more than 90 migrants in 2023. The tragedy there now has legal consequences: six civil servants from the coast guard and the financial police are on trial due to negligence, which was announced on July 22, 2025. The indictment on multiple negligent killing is. This was done in the context of investigations that accuse the officials negligence, which is said to have contributed to the disaster. The process is scheduled for January 2026 and has already triggered political reactions.

Matteo Salvini, the deputy prime minister and head of the Lega party, commented on the incidents and described the indictment as "shame". These allegations and the subsequent discussion lead a sharp light on dealing with migrants in Italy and throughout the EU.

The further debate about migration

The misfortune of Cutro triggered horror internationally and reinforced the debate about migration in Italy. Every year, more than 220,000 people use the central Mediterranean route, which is considered the most dangerous for migrants. It leads from North Africa to Europe and leads more than half of all irregular border crossings into the EU. This route is particularly risky because many migrants drown while trying to reach Europe.

The reasons for the flight from the Middle East, North Africa and Subsahara Africa can often be found in poor living conditions and warlike conflicts. Human rights organizations criticize the poor use of the residents to ensure safe escape routes and deficits in sea rescue. In addition, the term “Mediterranean refugees” is often used to describe the different groups of migrants.

reactions in the EU

The EU tries to prevent migration through cooperation with third countries in North Africa. However, these approaches are criticized for their human rights policy. Over 94,000 migrants came to Italy via the central Mediterranean route in 2022, which increased the pressure on European countries. The EU has paid over a billion euros to the Niger since 2015 to combat decorative crime. Despite these measures, the number of fatalities in the Mediterranean has increased since 2014.

To improve the humanitarian situation of refugees in Africa, the EU has founded a task force together with the African Union. This should also support the return of migrants from Libya to their home countries. The ship's accident of Cutro and the associated developments show how complex and difficult the challenges are in front of which Europe is in relation to migration.

The indictment against the coast guard and the ongoing discussions about the sea rescue could be decisive for how the future of dealing with migrants in Italy and throughout the EU is designed. The situation remains tense, while the court is waiting for the start of the trial in the coming year.