Tragedy at Sea: Bodies Recovered from Mediterranean Shipwreck

Italy's coast guard has recovered six bodies off Sicily's coast, suspected to be among the 21 missing from a migrant shipwreck. The survivors reported leaving Libya on Sept. 1, with rough seas contributing to the disaster. The central Mediterranean is one of the deadliest migration routes globally.

Italy's coast guard has recovered six bodies off the coast of Sicily, believed to be from the 21 missing individuals from a recent migrant shipwreck, Italian media reported on Sunday. The victims are thought to have perished in the treacherous waters earlier this month.

On Wednesday, the Italian coast guard rescued seven male Syrian nationals from a partially submerged boat southwest of Lampedusa. The survivors recounted their journey, stating they had departed from Libya on September 1st. They revealed that 21 of the 28 passengers, including three children, had fallen overboard during rough weather conditions.

The central Mediterranean remains one of the deadliest routes for migrants. According to the United Nations migration agency (IOM), over 2,500 migrants either died or went missing on this perilous path last year, with 1,116 reported cases this year alone. Italy's interior ministry recorded that over 43,000 migrants have reached Italian shores in 2024, reflecting a decrease from previous years.

(With inputs from agencies.)