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Tragedy in the Mediterranean
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At least 26 people have died as a boat sank off the coast of Lampedusa

The search for missing persons continues, as some 95 migrants were on board two ships that left Tripoli, Libya, early in the morning. Water has begun to enter one of them, causing people to embark on the other. Some 60 have been rescued.

A ship full of migrants near Lampedusa, Italy. Stock Photo: EFE

At least 26 migrants have died and 60 others have been rescuedafter a ship sank off the coast of Lampedusa in southern Italy, according to the Coast Guard.

"For the time being, 60 people have been rescued, who have already landed in Lampedusa, and at least 26 people have been killed. The balance is still provisional and is being updated," the Coast Guard said in a statement.

The accident occurred 14 nautical miles south of the Italian island, within the search and rescue zone, after a helicopter spotted a ship and several bodies dumped in the sea.

The 51surviving men, 4 women and 5 minors, according to local media, have already been transferred to Lampedusa and are still searching for potential missing persons, with the possibility of more children being involved.

Sea Watch

Our 'Aurora' ship and others would have been able to rescue people in a few minutes if they had informed us of their situation.

According to testimony collected by the authorities, the migrants were travelling on two boats that left Tripoli, Libya , early in the morning, one of which has begun to enter water, causing people to embark on the other.

The spokesman for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Flavio Di Giacomo, has confirmed that "about 95 migrants" have left Libya and that "with the addition of dead and missing persons, the number of victims could rise to 35".

After the accident, several NGOs have denounced what happened: "Anger and frustration. That's what we feel about the umpteenth shipwreck a few miles from Lampedusa. Our 'Aurora' ship and others could have rescued people in a few minutes if they had informed us of their situation. Why didn't they warn us?

Italian PrimeMinister Giorgia Meloni  has condemned "the cruel cynicism with which human traffickers organize these dark journeys."

For his part, theItalian Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi , expressed his condolences on the victims and said that this is the 'umpteenth tragedy' in the Mediterranean.

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