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Mediterranean Tragedy: 1,000 Migrants Feared Lost at Sea
2 Feb
Summary
- Nearly 1,000 migrants are feared dead after a major storm in the Mediterranean.
- NGOs report eight boats departed Tunisia, with none subsequently located.
- Storm Harry caused severe conditions, with waves over seven meters high.
A catastrophic storm, identified as Storm Harry, has resulted in the suspected loss of up to 1,000 migrants at sea in the Mediterranean last month. This grim estimation comes from the NGO Mediterranea Saving Humans, drawing upon accounts from refugees in Libya and Tunisia. The NGO reported eight boats, each carrying 30-50 people, departed Tunisia's coast between January 14 and January 21, but none were ever found.
The severe weather conditions, characterized by waves over seven meters and winds exceeding 50 knots, are believed to be the cause of the boats' disappearance. The NGO's president criticized the governments of Italy and Malta for their perceived silence and inaction. Separately, a merchant vessel rescued one survivor who reported his boat, carrying 50 people, capsized. The NGO also noted another smuggler sent ten boats out, with only one returning, underscoring the scale of the disaster.
Beyond the migrant tragedy, Storm Harry inflicted significant damage across the Mediterranean. Sicily experienced tsunami-style storm surges, flooding streets and forcing evacuations. Authorities issued red alerts across Sicily, Sardinia, and Calabria due to gale-force winds and vicious storm surges. Malta also reported widespread disruption, with high winds and waves impacting the island, leading to advisories for residents to stay indoors and diversions for flights and ferries.
