Once again, there has been a humanitarian disaster off the coast of Italy. A boat carrying 200-250 migrants exploded off the Calabrian coast. At this time, at least 59 are dead, and many more missing. There are 81 survivors. A suspected smuggler has been arrested by Italian police.
The below article from RAI News is partially translated (due to its length) by Fousesquawk. The article has several images and videos of rescue efforts.
Mass death of migrants at Crotone: Among the 59 bodies recovered, 12 minors and 33 women. 81 survivors
The number of victims is provisional. Guardia di Finanza and firemen continue the search. "There was an explosion on board," says a survivor. Interior Minister Piantedosi is at Crotone. An alleged smuggler arrested
25 February at 23:47
Mass death of migrants before dawn in the sinking of a barge broken into a thousand pieces in front of the Calabrian coast. The number of bodies recovered has reached 59, among them 12 minors and 33 women after the tragedy at Steccato di Cutro. Fourty-six were found at the scene and another three on the beach at Botricello (Catanzarese). Another eight at "La Castella" (Capo Rizzuto Island) and one at Crotone, where the body was transported after recovery.
At this time, 81 persons have been saved after the attempted landing at Cutro, some 20 kilometers from Crotone.
The bodies are being recovered at sea as time passes, whether offshore or on the beach. Among the victims is also a newborn a few months old: His body, according to the dramatic testimony of a fireman, is among those taken out of the water by rescuers and police who are continuing operations, complicated by strong wind and rough seas.
The survivors, all under 30 years of age, were treated on the beach and (given food and water) by 118 (emergency) personnel and the Red Cross, but many people are still missing.
The Interior Minister, Matteo Piantedosi is at Crotone. After a brief inspection on the beach at Steccato di Cutro, he proceeded to the prefecture for a meeting with all the representatives of the territory and police.
Of the 81 survivors, 59 were lodged at the asylum center of Capo Rizzuto Island, while others were treated at the civilian hospital at Crotone, among them and 9-year-old child in intensive care.
The prefect of Crotone, after having activated the Rescue Coordination Center, ordered that the bodies of the victims recovered be transferred to Pala Milone, the sports center located within the city.
Police are trying to gather statements from survivors to understand how many were on the sunken boat, which seems to have been carrying between 200-250 migrants coming from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Syria. An alleged smuggler has been arrested.
This was one of so many trips of hope that follow the Turkish route, the one most used by migrants coming from countries in that area.
"There was an explosion on board," one of the rescued migrants told rescuers. "Some bodies, in fact, showed burns."
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