Migrant Boat Carrying About 100 Capsizes off Southernmost Italy, Leaving at Least 20 Dead

Many Migrants Still Crossing Borders by Sea
675 Dead in Mediterranean Crossings This Year Alone

Over the past 20 years, the number of people crossing borders has reached record levels. In 2022, the United Nations (UN) announced that the number of people living abroad away from their country of origin increased from 173 million in 2000 to 281 million in 2020. This figure accounts for about 3.6% of the global population. Among the most pressing issues currently facing Europe is the challenge of refugees and migrants. Many of them cross borders by sea, often in boats, and several European countries have experienced conflicts over how to handle this situation. Tragically, a significant number lose their lives while attempting the dangerous sea crossing, often due to incidents such as capsizing.

Over the past 20 years, the number of people crossing borders has reached record levels. In 2022, the United Nations (UN) announced that the number of people living abroad away from their country of origin increased from 173 million in 2000 to 281 million in 2020. Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News Agency

On August 14, Yonhap News, citing a report from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), reported that a boat carrying about 100 migrants capsized off the coast of Lampedusa, Italy's southernmost island, resulting in at least 20 deaths and around 10 people missing. Filippo Ungaro, spokesperson for the UNHCR's Italy office, stated that 60 survivors from the migrant boat have been transferred to a relief center on Lampedusa and are currently receiving medical treatment.

According to statements from the survivors, the boat departed from Libya in North Africa with around 100 migrants on board at the time of departure. The sea route from North Africa to Lampedusa, Italy's southernmost island, is a year-round passage for boats carrying African migrants hoping to enter Europe. However, these boats are notorious for being in poor condition, often leaking, and dangerously overloaded, making accidents highly likely. According to the UNHCR, prior to this incident, 675 migrants had already died this year while crossing the central Mediterranean. The Italian Ministry of the Interior has reported that, during the same period, 38,263 migrants have arrived on Italy's shores.

Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) and its member states, concerned about the influx of undocumented migrants, are putting strong pressure on their governments to step up enforcement. In addition, large-scale crackdowns on migrants and people smugglers have led to a decrease in the number of undocumented migrants. However, there has been a recent uptick in the number of migrants traveling to Europe via Libya as a transit point.