The Italian coast guard began a search and rescue operation after a distress call from a French vessel.
Two devastating shipwrecks off the southern coast of Italy have caused the death of at least 11 migrants and have left 64 people missing, according to the agencies of the United Nations.
In the first tragedy, a boat with migrants from Türkiye caught fire and capsized about 200 kilometers from the coast of Calabria.
Eight days adrift
Survivors reported that the boat was carrying eight days at sea before the disaster struck. The italian coast guard they started a search and rescue operation after the distress call from a French vessel that was in the vicinity.
At least 12 survivors were rescued and taken to the port of Roccella Jonica for medical attention, but one died shortly after arriving. Most migrants missing come from Iran, Syria and Iraq.
Another dangerous journey ends in tragedy
In another incident near the island of Lampedusa, lifeguards discovered a wooden boat filled with water. The crew of the German aid ship Nadir managed to evacuate 51 peopleamong them two who were unconscious and had to be freed with an axe.
Were found the bodies of 10 migrants trapped below deck. The survivors, mainly from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt and Syria, They had each paid about 3,500 dollars (about 3,250 euros) for the trip.
He Maritime Rescue Coordination Center Italian quickly diverted nearby merchant ships to assist in both rescue operations. Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agencyalso provided help.
