FILE PICTURE
LAMPEDUSA, Italy: At least 26 people have died after a migrant boat capsized near the Italian island of Lampedusa.
According to international media, the vessel was carrying more than 90 people when it overturned close to the island. Rescue operations are underway, and authorities fear the death toll could rise.
So far, 60 people have been rescued, including 56 men and 4 women. The migrants had reportedly departed from Libya, but their nationalities have not yet been confirmed.
The incident highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean, where thousands of migrants risk their lives each year trying to reach Europe. Overcrowded and unsafe vessels, combined with unpredictable weather conditions, have made such journeys extremely dangerous.
European authorities have repeatedly called for better coordination and support to address the root causes of migration, including conflict, poverty, and political instability in North Africa and the Middle East. Humanitarian organizations are also urging swift assistance and medical care for survivors.
