More than a dozen bodies washed up on Italy’s shores

migration

More than a dozen bodies washed up on Italy’s shores

Despite all the dangers, migrants are making their way across the Mediterranean to Europe. The risk is particularly great in winter. It is feared that hundreds have died in recent weeks.

More than a dozen bodies have washed up on Italy’s shores – presumably migrants who died trying to cross the Mediterranean. According to authorities, at least 15 dead people have been found on beaches in Sicily and in the southern Italian region of Calabria in the past few days. It is assumed that people have fallen victim to winter storms on the high seas in recent weeks.

The journey across the Mediterranean to Europe is considered dangerous even in normal weather conditions. Migrants are often sent on their way by smugglers from countries such as Libya and Tunisia in ships that are hardly seaworthy. Aid organizations fear that several hundred people have drowned this winter. Bodies have also been found on the high seas, both by the coast guard and from civilian ships such as fishing boats.

Public prosecutor launches investigation

According to Tuesday, a body of students was discovered near Tropea, a seaside resort on the mainland. The unknown man was wearing an orange life jacket. A woman who had no papers with her was also found dead. The public prosecutor’s office initiated an investigation. Bodies were also found on the small Italian island of Pantelleria.

Italy is one of the countries particularly affected by the refugee movement across the central Mediterranean. Every year tens of thousands land on boats on Italy’s coast. The right-wing government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had once again tightened its course on migration policy last week.