Three young sisters, aged nine, 11, and 17, tragically drowned after a migrant boat capsized in the central Mediterranean, highlighting once again the dangers faced by people attempting the perilous journey across the sea.
The overcrowded rubber vessel had set off from the Libyan coastal city of Zuwara, carrying dozens of passengers seeking safety and a better life in Europe. A few hours into the journey, the boat began taking in large amounts of water as waves battered its fragile structure. Survivors later described the scene as chaotic and terrifying, with water flooding in and people panicking in the dark.
Rescue teams managed to save about 65 people, including the sisters’ mother and brother, three pregnant women, and a seven-month-old baby. Sadly, when survivors were being evacuated, screams alerted rescuers to the lifeless bodies of the three sisters lying beneath the water inside the vessel. Witnesses recalled the sheer horror and grief that swept through the survivors when they realised the children had drowned unnoticed in the panic.
The conditions on board were described as extremely dangerous, with the combination of seawater and petrol causing severe chemical burns to many passengers. Several of the rescued individuals required urgent medical attention upon reaching safety. Another passenger who had fallen overboard earlier in the voyage remains missing.
The bodies of the three sisters were transported to the Italian island of Lampedusa, where the survivors also disembarked. The tragedy has reignited calls for stronger humanitarian interventions in the Mediterranean, where overcrowded boats continue to capsize or sink with alarming frequency.
Humanitarian workers stressed that what happened to the sisters is a devastating reminder of the unimaginable risks faced by those attempting to flee conflict, poverty, or persecution. They reiterated the urgent need for more effective search and rescue operations, as well as guarantees of safety for those who survive the dangerous crossing.
This year alone, more than 700 people have died attempting to make the treacherous central Mediterranean crossing from North Africa. Despite repeated warnings and appeals, many migrants continue to risk their lives in flimsy boats, driven by desperation and the hope of finding refuge in Europe.
The tragedy of the three sisters underscores the human cost of these perilous journeys and the urgent need for collective global action to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
