One Dead, Two Missing as Migrant Boat Sinks Near Italy

A tragic boat accident off the coast of Lampedusa has left one woman dead and two people missing.

According to the United Nations’ migration agency, 87 migrants were rescued from the sinking vessel on Monday morning.

The group was first picked up by a Tunisian fishing boat before being transferred to the Italian coastguard.

They arrived at Lampedusa at approximately 4:00 a.m. local time, authorities confirmed.

The boat had departed from Tunisia and broke apart mid-journey due to poor construction and overcrowding.

Flavio Di Giacomo, spokesperson for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), described the boat as “a floating coffin.”

He said the search for missing passengers is still ongoing and urged for more coordinated rescue efforts.

Lampedusa is located between Tunisia, Malta, and Sicily, and is a key migrant entry point into Europe.

Many migrants attempt this dangerous route despite the extreme risks involved at sea.

The central Mediterranean is one of the deadliest migration corridors in the world today.

In a separate incident overnight, another 80 migrants reached Lampedusa safely after sailing from Libya.

This group included children and pregnant women who endured a rough journey in a rubber dinghy.

“They were lucky to make it,” Di Giacomo said, noting the dangerous sea conditions they faced.

These repeated landings have strained Lampedusa’s limited capacity and raised humanitarian concerns.

According to IOM data, over 25,000 migrants have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean since 2014.

In 2024, at least 1,810 lives were lost, and 542 deaths have already occurred in 2025.

Aid agencies are calling for stronger global cooperation to prevent further tragedies at sea.

They urge the creation of safer legal pathways for people fleeing conflict, poverty, or persecution.

Activists stress that these deaths are avoidable with proper policies and rescue resources in place.

As the summer migration season intensifies, more crossings and more risks are expected in the coming months.

Authorities have not released additional details about the missing migrants or ongoing rescue operations.

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