The boat, carrying refugees from Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan, crashed against rocks, with authorities blaming human trafficking for the tragedy.

At least 59 people, including a newborn and other children, have tragically lost their lives after a wooden boat, believed to be carrying refugees, wrecked off the coast of Calabria, Italy. Many bodies were found washed up on a tourist beach near Steccato di Cutro, while others were located at sea.

Survivors reported that the boat had about 140-150 people onboard before it struck the rocks, leaving 81 survivors, 20 of whom were taken to the hospital. A Turkish national was detained on suspicion of human trafficking related to the vessel, which reportedly departed from Turkey four days before the tragedy. Among the victims, 20 children, including twins and a newborn, were confirmed dead.

The wreckage of the boat was first spotted by local fishers on Sunday morning. The mayor of Cutro, Antonio Ceraso, described the scene as something no one would ever want to witness, with bodies continuing to wash ashore. The Italian coastguard, firefighters, police, and Red Cross personnel have been working tirelessly to recover the bodies and search for any remaining survivors.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi called for European governments to put aside differences and come together to address the ongoing migration crisis, emphasizing the need for shared measures to prevent further loss of life. Similarly, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have urged for stronger, coordinated action to manage migration and prevent such tragedies.

Italy, a primary entry point for migrants attempting to reach Europe by sea, faces immense challenges. The central Mediterranean route, which saw more than 100,000 arrivals in 2022, remains one of the deadliest migration pathways in the world. The government under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has imposed strict measures against sea rescue charities, which have raised concerns that such policies will lead to more fatalities.

Meloni expressed her sorrow for the loss of lives, blaming human traffickers for exploiting the vulnerable. However, she also emphasized her government’s commitment to preventing departures, alongside demanding greater cooperation from countries of origin to curb the migration crisis.

Despite the government’s actions, including agreements with Libya and Tunisia to prevent migrant arrivals, the tragedy in Calabria underscores the persistent dangers faced by refugees attempting to cross the Mediterranean.