By Staff Reporter
A migrant boat carrying around 60 people capsized in the central Mediterranean Sea on Sunday, leaving at least 10 people dead and several others missing.
The vessel, which had departed from Libya and was attempting to reach Europe, overturned approximately 45 nautical miles southeast of Malta, according to the Italian Coast Guard.
Following a request from Maltese authorities, Italy dispatched a search-and-rescue vessel to assist in the emergency operation. A fishing boat in the area managed to rescue 48 survivors from the water.
Sea-Watch, a humanitarian organization involved in Mediterranean rescue efforts, reported that 11 migrants were initially unaccounted for after the accident.
By Sunday night, the Italian Coast Guard confirmed that 10 bodies had been recovered, while search operations continued in hopes of locating the remaining missing passengers.
The latest tragedy highlights the ongoing dangers faced by migrants attempting the perilous sea crossing from North Africa to Europe, one of the world’s deadliest migration routes.
