The Italian authorities reported this Sunday the sinking of a wooden boat that was transporting at least 200 immigrants from Turkey to the Italian coast. Unfortunately, 60 people lost, among the deceased, a newborn, 12 minors and women.
According to the report published by CNN, the precarious boat was destroyed after reaching the coast of Calabria, said the prefect of Crotone, Manuela Curra. Several sources confirmed to the EFE news agency that there are 80 survivors, however more deaths are estimated in the next few hours. Survivors told authorities that the boat fell apart after the engine that was driving it malfunctioned and exploded.
After the shipwreck, the survivors found their own means to reach the Calabrian coast where they are being cared for by the Italian Coast Guard and the Red Cross. The authorities drive a hypothesis that the rock formations of the Calabrian coast influenced the shipwreck.
In this sense, the Reuters news agency reported that the boat began its journey from the city of Izmir in Turkey. The EFE agency reported that the immigrants from this tragedy come from Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
It was even known since Saturday night that the boat full of immigrants was heading towards the coast of Italy. “It is yet another tragedy in the Mediterranean that cannot leave anyone indifferent”, lamented the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Matterella. Along with that, Giorgia Meloni, the Italian Prime Minister, denounced that it is criminal to embark a ship of just 20 meters in length with up to 200 people on board.
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